4 days ago
Montreal supervised drug site says forced move under proposed Quebec law could cost $6.6M
A supervised drug consumption site in Montreal's Sud-Ouest borough that could be forced to move if a proposed Quebec law is adopted said the change of location could cost an estimated $6.6 million.
Under Bill 103, supervised drug consumption sites can't be located within 150 metres of a school or daycare.
Maison Benoît-Labre, which houses a homeless shelter and supervised site, would have to move given its proximity to Victor-Rousselot elementary school.
"We're at 143 metres at this point, door to door," said Andréane Désilets, Maison Benoît-Labre's executive director, stressing that if the centre was seven metres further away it would be compliant.
Désilets made the comments in Quebec City, during consultations into Bill 103, tabled by Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant.
The bill comes in response to concerns over supervised drug consumption sites, including the Maison Benoît-Labre.
Parents and nearby residents flagged concerns about the area, including many saying they've witnessed open drug use, aggressive behaviour and sexual conduct from frequenters of the day centre, including when children are around.
The back door of the centre borders a park used by students of Victor-Rousselot elementary school.
Désilet admitted cohabitation has been an issue, especially when the supervised site opened just over a year ago.
"We did work very hard with the community," she said, reiterating how a change of location isn't the way to improve things.
"Everyone sat down and thought of a better plan and now there is a big [improvement] at this point."
WATCH | Quebec moves to ban safe consumption sites near schools, daycares:
Quebec moves to ban safe consumption sites near schools, daycares
29 days ago
Duration 2:13
Bill 103 would bar supervised drug use sites from operating within 150 metres of a school or daycare. If passed, the bill will require two of these sites to move, including the Maison Benoît-Labre in Montreal.
Nonetheless, Désilet said the group will comply with the law, but added there needs to be more government support.
Carmant said the bill clearly states that everything will be taken charge of by Santé Québec, the Health Ministry's new operational arm.
"If there are financial issues, the government will have to contribute obviously," he told reporters. "We've always been supporting these centres. We're the ones financing them."
He specified, however, that the government would provide it's own budget regarding any costs associated to a change of location.
"We have to confirm that the numbers that they are providing are correct and this will be done through Santé Québec," Carmant said.
Désilet said a move is a complicated process and fears its impacts are being underestimated.
"It's hard. It's hard on the staff. It's hard on everyone," she said, "It's very complicated to also maintain the services, make sure that there's no overdoses at the same time — at the new location at the old location."
As it stands, supervised drug consumption sites located near schools would have four years to move.
Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, Québec Solidaire's social services critic, said the minister needs to make amendments to improve the legislation.
He was critical of the bill saying the responsibility for cohabitation rests on the shoulders of the community groups who run the sites, but they don't have the means or funds to do that.
"Quebec needs to be a partner with those [organizations]," he said.
