The lack of qualified labor and overpopulation make rehabilitation difficult at the Estrie youth center. This is what Minister Lionel Carmant and MP Christine Labrie observed on Monday during their visit to the site.
“This is not a suitable place to welcome young people, especially since those who are here are the most deprived of our society,” mentioned the interim co-spokesperson of Québec solidaire Christine Labrie.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts, the member for Sherbrooke was finally able to visit the Estrie Youth Center.
CAQ deputies André Bachand and Geneviève Hébert also participated in the visit. Under the supervision of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie, the parliamentarians were able to visit three units. “There was one that was in a basement with very small windows, the oven didn’t work and it smelled like urine,” says Ms. Labrie.
Upon his exit, the minister responsible for Social Services admitted that there were many challenges to overcome, but maintains that solutions are on the table. For example, 44 children living with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder (ATSD) live at the youth center. “The CIUSSS has a plan to relocate them to a location that will be better suited to their needs. In addition, it will free up space and allow the workers here to concentrate on their rehabilitation tasks with other young people,” mentions Minister Carmant.
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In fact, two projects are currently in the pipeline for the creation of DITSA living environments. Calls for tenders were launched with the aim of creating 29 places.
In the very short term, Lionel Carmant believes that emphasis must be placed on staff training.
Christine Labrie believes that security could be improved quickly: “The doors are still locked with keys. Employees can waste time finding the right key in an emergency situation and people who no longer work here are on break. With a magnetic card system, we could easily solve this problem.”
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