Latest news with #LionelCarmant
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Official opening of a new supportive housing project for adults with intellectual disabilities
MERCIER, QC, Aug. 15, 2025 /CNW/ - Lionel Carmant, Quebec Minister Responsible for Social Services, highlighted today, as part of his tour of Montérégie-Ouest, the official opening of Chez Nous Solidaire, an innovative 19-unit project that will provide supportive housing adapted to the needs of people living with a mild to moderate intellectual disability, with or without autism spectrum disorder. This new built-to-measure resource aims to offer its clientele a stable, secure and permanent living environment, with the goal of increasing their independence and social inclusion. The project is made up of individual apartments and will therefore offer occupants an environment conducive to their development and to sustaining their acquired skills. Equitable and personalized support services will also be available, and subsidized rent will help to increase occupants' housing stability. The Quebec government is injecting a total of nearly $4.2 million, including more than $1.8 million from the Société d'habitation du Québec, which is also backing the mortgage taken out by the organization. In total, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is providing recurring annual funding of $726,000. The new recurring budget of $300,000 announced complements the $150,000 that was granted in 2019 by the MSSS. In addition, $276,000 allocated by the CISSSMO covers the full amount required to operate the clinical services. For the current year, until March 31, 2026, the $526,000 in funding will cover the first six months of the project's start-up. These amounts will enable the organization to provide support, guidance, and social integration activities for tenants in collaboration with professionals from the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Ouest. The Government of Canada is contributing nearly $3.7 million to the project through the Second Canada-Quebec Agreement on the Rapid Housing Initiative. Quotes: "I am delighted to see this promising project become a reality. The result of exemplary collaboration with our partners in Montérégie-Ouest, it is a testament to our government's commitment to fostering the independence, inclusion and dignity of people living with a mild to moderate intellectual disability, with or without autism spectrum disorder, everywhere in Quebec. Providing housing adapted to this clientele will help enrich their lives, make them more secure and allow them to thrive in an environment where they can build a future that will let them reach their full potential." Lionel Carmant, Quebec Minister Responsible for Social Services "The federal government is proud to have participated in this project, which promotes the independence and integration of people living with moderate to mild intellectual disabilities, with or without autism spectrum disorder. In collaboration with the Government of Quebec, we are helping to build a stronger community and a more inclusive Canada for all." The Honorable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature) and Member of Parliament for Châteauguay–Les Jardins-de-Napierville "I am proud to witness the completion of such an important project for our community in Châteauguay and all of Montérégie-Ouest. This project is proof of our collective commitment to building a more inclusive society where everyone belongs, can thrive and can contribute fully to the vitality of the community. Thank you to all of the partners who came together to make this wonderful project a reality." Marie-Belle Gendron, Member of the National Assembly for Châteauguay and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Families Highlights: This housing project was built for people aged 18 and over diagnosed with or whose functioning is consistent with having a mild to moderate intellectual disability, with or without autism spectrum disorder, able to live independently in an apartment with a form of supervision, if necessary. The project was led by the CISSS de la Montérégie‑Ouest, which will take on a central role in both the financial and clinical aspects of the project, and was completed with the collaboration of the organization Chez Nous Solidaire, which provides supportive housing to this clientele. SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Cision Canada
12-08-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Official opening of a housing project for adults living with autism spectrum disorder in the Gaspé region Français
GASPÉ, QC, Aug. 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, as part of his tour of the Gaspé region, Lionel Carmant, Quebec Minister Responsible for Social Services; along with Stéphane Sainte-Croix, Member of the National Assembly for Gaspé, officially opened a 12-unit building offering housing for adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The building's first residents will move in October. This housing project was completed in collaboration with Demeure-Toi, a Gaspé-based non-profit organization created by parents and relatives of people living with autism who wish to create living environments that meet the needs of their loved ones. The project has also received support from various government authorities as well as a community organization. The building will house 11 people. The 12th unit will be rented and occupied by a support worker. In addition to being an adult living with ASD, the criteria for accessing one of the units are as follows: Having life goals that involve becoming actively involved in society and living independently. Demonstrated desire, motivation and engagement in pursuing these goals. Desire to receive services from the team of multidisciplinary professionals assigned to this project. The services offered are personal assistance, help with domestic living, civic support and supervision. Specialized education will also be offered to residents by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Gaspésie. This project received support from the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services in order to help develop new housing for people with physical and intellectual disabilities and ASD, to better meet their needs, and to decrease the number of people on waitlists. The organization will also receive $275,000 annually to provide the above-mentioned services. The Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) contributed an additional $5.2 million to the Demeure Toi project through a tripartite agreement with the City of Gaspé and the project developer. This financial assistance enabled the shelter to break ground and fully realize its mission. Quotes: "We are determined to work with all orders of government and all sectors to provide housing support to those who need it most. This project allowed us to create housing rapidly for some of the most vulnerable people with the most urgent needs in Gaspé. Our government is proud to be among the partners who have made this project possible." The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada "Adults living with ASD need to develop their independence as part of a life project that will help them reach their full potential. To do this, they need a living environment that is well adapted to their reality, in their own community, close to their family and loved ones. For this to happen successfully, we need to provide them with the necessary support services, and that's why I'm very proud to have provided my support and the support of our social services teams for this project." Lionel Carmant, Quebec Minister Responsible for Social Services "Providing suitable housing for adults living with autism spectrum disorder is a concrete step forward in Quebec's housing continuum. This project is clear proof that we are stepping up our efforts to increase the housing supply across Quebec by focusing on sustainable, functional, inclusive and safe living environments. It embodies our desire to meet the special needs of every Quebecer with dignity and respect. I want to warmly congratulate all the partners involved." France-Élaine Duranceau, Minister Responsible for Housing "The needs of adults in the Gaspé region with autism spectrum disorder are pressing, as evidenced by the fact that many citizens came together to develop this wonderful project. There will be services to effectively support these individuals and their families in their desire for independence and growth in the community. I would like to thank all our partners in this journey, including Demeure Toi, the federal government and the regional health and social services institution and its dedicated teams." Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region and the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region "I am delighted to see this project, which is the product of a local initiative and which meets the urgent needs of people living with ASD and their families, through to completion. I thank the members of our community who made this happen with the support of our two levels of government. There's no doubt that this project will make a big difference in the lives of the people who live here. In developing their independence, the residents of these units will be better able to contribute to the vibrancy of our entire region, and that's something I'm proud of." – Stéphane Sainte-Croix, Member of the National Assembly for Gaspé Highlights: The project's implementation cost is estimated at $9 million. The Canada-Quebec Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement provided $3.65 million in funding. The specialized education services provided by the CISSS are equivalent to $40,000 in funding. SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rally in opposition to Bill No. 103 "whose primary purpose is to regulate supervised consumption sites in order to promote harmonious coexistence with the community"
TIOHTIA:KE, QC, MONTRÉAL, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - On the eve of the parliamentary debates on Bill 103, the Association Québécoise pour la Promotion de la Santé des Personnes Utilisateurs de Drogues (AQPSUD) and the Association pour la Défense des Droits et l'Inclusion des personnes qui Consommation des drogues du Québec (ADDICQ) are joining forces to denounce a direct attack on the rights and health of people who use drugs. To make their demands heard, a rally will be held this Tuesday, June 3, at 2 p.m., at the Fontaine de Tourny in front of the National Assembly. While they talk, we die On May 6, 2025, Lionel Carmant, Health and Social Services Minister, introduced Bill 103. Since then, many groups have expressed their opposition to a bill that unnecessarily increases the administrative burden on organizations working in harm reduction and homelessness. Again, elected officials have chosen to talk about us, without us. Even though supervised consumption services have proven to be effective in the fight against the overdose crisis, the minister is proposing a legislative framework without any consultation, thereby jeopardizing human lives and the fragile social safety net that supports them. Bill 103 also shifts responsibility for "social co-existence" to organizations, while reinforcing the stigma of people who use drugs and those who are homeless. It reflects a chronic mistrust of community expertise and challenges its autonomy. It is time for the voices of those most affected to be heard, because it is they—we—who die when the government complicates access to services. Time is running out to destigmatize History has shown that prohibition drives people to use in isolation, which increases the risks. Too often, supervised consumption sites are the only safe spaces available. By compromising their operations, Bill 103 threatens to force many of them out of business, putting lives at risk. We are calling for the complete abandonment of this bill and a clear shift toward the decriminalization of drugs. There is an urgent need to invest heavily in affordable housing accessible to everyone and in harm reduction services, and to ensure the full inclusion of people who use drugs in the development of policies that affect them. "The perception persists that repressive approaches will overcome drug consumption or drug use. It is time to change the paradigm and come up with more appropriate solutions. " -Mario Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Point de Repères, at a citizens' meeting organized by L'Engrenage Saint-Roch: SOURCE AQPSUD View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Rally in opposition to Bill No. 103 "whose primary purpose is to regulate supervised consumption sites in order to promote harmonious coexistence with the community" Français
TIOHTIA:KE, QC, MONTRÉAL, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - On the eve of the parliamentary debates on Bill 103, the Association Québécoise pour la Promotion de la Santé des Personnes Utilisateurs de Drogues (AQPSUD) and the Association pour la Défense des Droits et l'Inclusion des personnes qui Consommation des drogues du Québec (ADDICQ) are joining forces to denounce a direct attack on the rights and health of people who use drugs. To make their demands heard, a rally will be held this Tuesday, June 3, at 2 p.m., at the Fontaine de Tourny in front of the National Assembly. While they talk, we die On May 6, 2025, Lionel Carmant, Health and Social Services Minister, introduced Bill 103. Since then, many groups have expressed their opposition to a bill that unnecessarily increases the administrative burden on organizations working in harm reduction and homelessness. Again, elected officials have chosen to talk about us, without us. Even though supervised consumption services have proven to be effective in the fight against the overdose crisis, the minister is proposing a legislative framework without any consultation, thereby jeopardizing human lives and the fragile social safety net that supports them. Bill 103 also shifts responsibility for "social co-existence" to organizations, while reinforcing the stigma of people who use drugs and those who are homeless. It reflects a chronic mistrust of community expertise and challenges its autonomy. It is time for the voices of those most affected to be heard, because it is they—we—who die when the government complicates access to services. Time is running out to destigmatize History has shown that prohibition drives people to use in isolation, which increases the risks. Too often, supervised consumption sites are the only safe spaces available. By compromising their operations, Bill 103 threatens to force many of them out of business, putting lives at risk. We are calling for the complete abandonment of this bill and a clear shift toward the decriminalization of drugs. There is an urgent need to invest heavily in affordable housing accessible to everyone and in harm reduction services, and to ensure the full inclusion of people who use drugs in the development of policies that affect them. "The perception persists that repressive approaches will overcome drug consumption or drug use. It is time to change the paradigm and come up with more appropriate solutions. " -Mario Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Point de Repères, at a citizens' meeting organized by L'Engrenage Saint-Roch:
Montreal Gazette
08-05-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Front-line organizations sound alarm after Quebec moves to limit safe consumption sites
By Organizations on the front lines of the overdose crisis sounded alarm bells Thursday over a bill that would ban safe consumption sites within 150 metres of schools and daycares — and could potentially extend those same restrictions to any centre offering services to unhoused Quebecers. A letter signed by 25 local and national organizations, including the Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec (AIDQ) and Doctors of the World Canada, says the bill 'could hinder access to essential services' for those who consume drugs or are unhoused. Tabled by Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant Tuesday, Bill 103 follows controversy over the 2024 opening of Maison Benoît Labre, a supervised drug consumption and transitional housing centre close to Victor-Rousselot elementary school in St-Henri. If passed, the legislation would ban safe consumption sites within a 150-metre radius of a school or daycare and give the minister authority to extend that ban to centres serving unhoused populations, such as shelters. It would also grant the minister veto power over proposed facilities, regardless of proximity to a school or daycare. A similar ban on supervised consumption sites near schools and daycares was passed by the Ontario legislature in 2024. In March, an Ontario judge suspended its implementation pending a charter challenge. The Coalition Avenir Québec government's bill comes at a time when overdose deaths in the province are at a high. The Institut national de santé publique du Québec reports that overdoses killed 645 people in 2024, a 20 per cent increase from 2023. 'Our initial reaction was to be stunned,' said AIDQ chair Louis Letellier de St-Just. 'This bill makes no sense and follows no logic.' 'We've weakened the work of safe consumption services, the work of organizations caring for unhoused people,' he said. 'At 150 metres, we don't have much room to manoeuvre in a city like Montreal.' With the door left open to the ban extending to any services for unhoused people and an option for the minister to veto any proposed safe consumption site, front-line organizations are unsure of how the bill would be applied, he said. 'Personally, I'm deeply irritated,' said de St-Just, who co-founded the harm reduction organization Cactus Montreal and has worked in front-line social services for over 36 years. Carmant didn't consult with any of the 25 organizations that signed the letter, he said. He said he understands concerns about safe consumption sites operating near schools and daycares, but that the bill is the wrong approach. 'These organizations aren't ignorant, they're not insensitive to the difficulties that their clientele can introduce to an environment,' de St-Just said. But 'they need to go where services are required.' Ultimately, 'these are health services' that are being threatened, he said. Those providing services that respond to homelessness and the overdose crisis 'are not responsible for those crises. On the contrary, we mitigate their effects.' Maison Benoît Labre opened in an area where homelessness already existed, de St-Just said, and took dozens of people off the streets. 'Of course there are improvements to be made. But instead of passing a bill, we could have established directives, had discussions that could have facilitated social cohesion.' Front-line workers are bearing the brunt of the blame, he said, 'but it's thanks to them that we're able to diminish loss of life.'
