Frustrated citizens' committee calls for action on homelessness in Milton-Parc
Montreal Politics
By
A group of citizens in the Milton-Parc area is calling on the city to take a greater leadership role in settling the homelessness situation in the area.
The citizens say they are growing frustrated with the lack of progress in addressing the root causes of homelessness that have resulted in an explosion of people living on the street.
'It is frustrating,' said Martin Coles, who speaks for the Comité de bon voisinage Milton-Parc. 'We've talked with various politicians as a committee, and they always respond by saying 'it's very complex,' as if the word complex is a magic word that you can utter and then we'll stop bothering them. We know it's complex, and our response is: Why aren't you doing something about this complex problem?'
The group published a report this week that calls for the city to implement solutions, such as expropriating a fenced-off lot of land at the southeast corner of Milton St. and Parc Ave. in order to provide social housing for the community. The group would like to see the city implement culturally appropriate housing in the area that would cater to specific needs of those in the Inuit community, many of whom are regularly living on the street.
They are also calling on the city to head up a committee made up of all levels of government and the health-care sector in order to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness.
And the report recommends the city redesign the road network in the area to improve pedestrian safety.
This isn't the first report to delve into the problems of the area. In 2022, city ombudsperson Nadine Mailloux published a report called Don't Look the Other Way, highlighting a 'glaringly urgent' problem of access to health care and appropriate services.
That report detailed prostitution in alleyways, violent altercations, drug consumption and the littering of needles and empty beer bottles in the area. An unsafe situation had led to six vehicular accidents in two years, including one that resulted in the death of Kitty Kakkinerk, a 44-year-old Inuit woman who was struck by a car, and another that resulted in serious injuries.
In 2023, Mailloux said there had been some progress, adding the 'city has really received the emergency message.' However, her recommendation for the city to set up a culturally appropriate group home setting for the Inuit population in the area remains unheeded.
Coles, too, is urging the city to set up such a space as soon as possible.
'I'm hopeful a solution will be found, and all we can do as a committee is make our recommendations and hope they help,' he said. 'It's all drops of water in the Grand Canyon.'
The Gazette reached out for reaction to Luc Rabouin, the mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, where the area is located. Simon Charron, a spokesperson for the Plante administration, responded with a written statement acknowledging the report, saying it will be analyzed in the coming months.
Speaking for Ensemble Montréal, Benoit Langevin, the opposition party's spokesperson on homelessness issues, said the lack of progress in Milton-Parc is proof the Plante administration has mishandled the file.
'How many reports are we going to have before there is action? This is another example of Projet Montréal buying time while doing nothing,' Langevin said.
He said Rabouin has done little as borough mayor to improve the situation, so has little credibility when he promises to address the issue as the Projet Montréal candidate for citywide mayor in the Nov. 2 election.
'It will be part of our vision in the upcoming campaign,' Langevin said. 'Montreal has to increase and adapt its funding in order to be able to address all these issues, like having transitional facilities.'
He said an Ensemble Montréal administration, under leader Soraya Martinez Ferrada, would outline clear plans to deal with homeless encampments and emergency shelters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
5 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Annual report tracks Canada's progress toward addressing the national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
Taking care Crisis support is available to individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line at 1-844-413-6649 (toll-free). OTTAWA, UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TRADITIONAL TERRITORY, ON, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people is a national crisis that must end. Responding to this national crisis requires all levels of government to work in true partnership with Indigenous partners to advance their solutions to improve safety, support healing from trauma, and ensure justice for all, especially those most impacted. Guided by Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and families and survivors, the Government of Canada is driving meaningful change that reflects Indigenous voices and leadership. The 2024–25 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report outlines the federal government's progress to respond to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Calls for Justice. To date, the Government of Canada has taken concrete action on the Calls for Justice and has made significant efforts to advance the National Inquiry's Final Report. Examples of progress include: A Chief Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking was appointed with a mandate to collaborate with Indigenous partners to address the increased risk experienced by Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Over 90 Indigenous women's and 2SLGBQTI+ organizations received federal funding to increase their ability to prevent or address gender-based violence across Canada. Engagement and co-development of the Red Dress Alert pilot, an emergency response system for missing Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, in a collaborative initiative from Government of Canada, the Government of Manitoba and Giganawenimaanaanig—an Indigenous organization in the province. 52 safety projects received support under the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative, supporting distinctions-based and 2SLGBTQI+ safety priorities in urban, rural, and Northern communities. 32 healing projects to provide culturally grounded supports for First Nations, Inuit and Métis families experiencing grief and trauma were supported by federal investments. More than 160 community-based projects were funded, and 14 regional First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations received continued support on the implementation of their long-term strategies to advance Indigenous self-determined priorities and Indigenous control over language revitalization, which is key to healing, identity, and addressing the root causes of violence. 37 new shelters and 36 new transitional homes have been committed for Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQI+ people seeking safety. In the year ahead, Canada will continue working with Indigenous partners to deliver tangible progress and strengthen the systems that keep people safe, as an essential part of collective efforts to build justice, healing, and lasting reconciliation. Quotes "This year's progress report reflects our commitment to lasting, systemic change and shows the work done to support safety, wellbeing, and justice for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, families, and survivors, and communities. We're tracking outcomes, holding ourselves accountable, and working in full partnership with Indigenous survivors, families, and communities that are driving this change. The Calls for Justice will continue to guide our work as we advance reconciliation through Indigenous-led solutions and true partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis." The Honourable Rebecca Alty Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "Five years have passed since the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children. It will take all of us—Indigenous communities, all levels of government, and Canadians—working together to end this tragedy to protect Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, as well as the families and communities who love them. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to walking this path in true partnership: supporting survivors and families, and ensuring that Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people have the power, voice, and space to reclaim their rightful place in our communities and in this country." The Honourable Mandy-Gull-Masty Minister of Indigenous Services "Ending violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people demands ongoing dedication and meaningful collaboration from all partners to ensure that everyone is—and feels—safe. While progress has been made through investments in housing, shelters, infrastructure, and essential services across the North and throughout Canada, much more remains to be done. We are working in partnership with Indigenous communities, northern regions, and all levels of government to confront the systemic issues and root causes of this violence." The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs "The safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people is fundamental to the strength and wellbeing of communities across Canada. Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence—particularly Pillar 4, which centres Indigenous-led solutions—we are making progress. We know the work is far from over. The Government of Canada is committed to meaningful and lasting change." The Honourable Rechie Valdez Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) "Our government remains firmly committed to working with local leaders, provinces and territories and law enforcement to improve community safety in Indigenous communities. Our efforts are rooted in respect for Indigenous values, traditions and governance, and reflect our shared vision of safe, empowered communities where the approach to public safety is shaped by those who know their communities best." The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree Minister of Public Safety "Protecting and bringing justice to Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people is crucial to achieving meaningful change in Canada's justice system. We will continue to work in true partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, including through the initial implementation of the Indigenous Justice Strategy and continued support for Indigenous victims and survivors of crime, to build safer communities and move forward on our path of reconciliation." The Honourable Sean Fraser Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency "Culture is critical and foundational to the safety, pride and identity of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people. Cultural revitalization and Indigenous languages are powerful tools for healing and empowerment, and an essential part of the path toward reconciliation. Our government remains steadfast in our support for the ongoing and important work to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages, being led by Indigenous Peoples, who are best placed to guide these efforts." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Quick facts The Federal Pathway is Canada's contribution to the broader 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan developed in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, survivors, families, Indigenous women's organizations, and provincial and territorial governments in response to the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (National Inquiry). The National Inquiry's 231 Calls for Justice vary in shared responsibility: 29 Calls for Justice exclusively call upon the federal government. 186 Calls for Justice collectively call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. 6 Calls for Justice exclusively call upon provincial and territorial governments. 10 Calls for Justice exclusively call upon non-government actors. The 2024–25 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report includes seven highlight reports that provide additional details on initiatives specific to families and survivors, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Urban Indigenous people, Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people, and Data. The third annual National Indigenous-Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People was held on January 29 and 30, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario, to discuss continued engagement on the Red Dress Alert pilot, addressing gaps in MMIWG2S+ related data, and exploring strategies to combat human trafficking. Associated links Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada: X: @GCIndigenous GovCan – North Facebook: @GCIndigenous GovCan – North Instagram: @gcindigenous GovCan North You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Montreal Gazette
a day ago
- Montreal Gazette
Martinez Ferrada pledges to consult borough mayors regularly if Ensemble Montréal wins election
Montreal Politics By Borough mayors would meet regularly if Soraya Martinez Ferrada is elected Nov. 2. Speaking to The Gazette Monday, the Ensemble Montréal leader said the current Projet Montréal administration has ignored the needs of the boroughs, to the point that Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has not even met with some of them in years. As an example, she claimed Montréal-Nord mayor Christine Black told her recently that she hasn't had a sitdown meeting with Plante since 2021. She said if she becomes the mayor of Montreal, she will create a roundtable made up of all the mayors of the city's 19 boroughs, and it would meet regularly. Although, she did not say at what frequency. 'The idea is to make sure we are giving the boroughs more power of influence before the executive committee makes decisions,' she said. Martinez Ferrada said many of the decisions currently made by the executive committee don't take the specific experience of local boroughs into account. She gave the city's new snow-clearing policy as an example. 'I understand the idea was to save money, but I think we have to make sure that there is the space for everyone to make a decision, so that every citizen has the opportunity to have the same quality of services,' she said. The snow-clearing policy came under fire from several opposition boroughs earlier this year because of a lack of flexibility. The boroughs of LaSalle and St-Laurent were penalized for undertaking partial snow-clearing operations last Feb. 4 without the approval of the central city. 'I think as a mayor, you have to work with the other mayors, wherever they are,' Martinez Ferrada said. 'It's surprising to me that the mayor of Montréal-Nord has not sat down with the central city mayor.' Martinez Ferrada said the boroughs have also been asking for more funding under the Plante administration, complaining that the increases in allotments from the central city to the boroughs have not been in line with the inflation rate over the last few years. She recognizes that borough budgets are tight, and added that she would increase the amount the city doles out to its 19 boroughs. How much, however, has not yet been determined. 'I'm not there yet,' Martinez Ferrada said. 'We haven't figured out yet how we will address the needs and how we will fund things, but we also have to look at blue-collar workers, because many boroughs don't have enough people to give the services to their citizens.' Martinez Ferrada said that after nearly eight years of the Projet Montréal administration under Plante, Montrealers are ready for something new. 'People don't feel listened to,' she said. 'People are telling me it's very hard to have a conversation with the elected officials of Projet Montréal. We want to have a city for everyone and not leave anyone behind.' She added that Projet Montréal has polarized the city, and there is an impression that the party only caters to a certain segment of Montrealers.
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Cision Canada
Statement by Prime Minister Carney on National Indigenous History Month Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - "Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of Canada's lands and waters for time immemorial. National Indigenous History Month is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, languages, knowledge, and traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. "Indigenous leadership and perspectives will be foundational to how this government delivers its mandate. We will address past harms, take a distinctions-based approach, and advance self-determination, while upholding Modern Treaties and self-government agreements. "Central to this commitment is the long-term wealth and prosperity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. To that end, we have doubled the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program from $5 billion to $10 billion – and opened it to sectors outside of energy and natural resources to catalyze more Indigenous-led infrastructure, transportation, and trade projects across the country. "As Canada moves forward with nation-building projects, the government will be firmly guided by the principle of free, prior, and informed consent. "We will work in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples – advancing shared priorities from health care, food security, housing, and education to conservation, climate action, and emergency management. We move forward on the important work of the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Final Report, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Calls for Justice, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act."
