The Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, is asking Santé Québec to “act” to get the homeless couple living with an intellectual disability who have been sheltering in the Montreal metro for two years off the street.
Posted at 12:23 p.m.
“I ask that people (from the network) work together and take charge of this couple as quickly as possible,” indicated Mr. Carmant on the sidelines of a meeting of the CAQ caucus in Saint-Sauveur.
An investigation by La Presse revealed this morning that the vulnerable young couple had taken up residence at the Radisson metro station on the green line about two years ago. The young couple demands shelter, but refuses to be separated. Two CIUSSS and the Curateur public du Québec are aware of the situation.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The 32-year-old man is under the supervision of the Curateur public du Québec since he is incapacitated in the eyes of the State. The young woman is considered fit although she lives in a state of extreme vulnerability.
The 32-year-old man is under the supervision of the Curateur public du Québec since he is incapacitated in the eyes of the State. The young woman is considered fit although she lives in a state of extreme vulnerability. The couple is followed by social workers from two different CIUSSS.
Has the homelessness crisis become so acute that we tolerate homeless people living with an intellectual disability in the metro?, asked the representative of La Presse to the minister responsible for the homelessness issue this Wednesday.
-“No,” replied Minister Carmant. This is something I am very sensitive to. I was a neurologist. I took care of patients with intellectual disabilities. »
The Minister then listed programs that he himself set up or that his ministry financed aimed at this clientele. “They can be taken care of with housing support,” he insisted.
“We are trying to see if we can direct them towards rapid entry into housing. This would be a possible solution,” added Minister Carmant, adding that the situation was “particularly complex” since it concerns a couple and that “two different CIUSSS take care of these patients.” Minister Carmant intervened this Wednesday after reading the report to ask the two CIUSSS to “work together”.
In the eyes of Minister Carmant, this story demonstrates “that it is not just shelter that we are taking; it takes more housing.”
Minister Carmant promises to “monitor the situation closely”. “We have to give them (the CIUSSS) a certain amount of time. It’s not a simple situation, he insists. I think they (the two itinerants) must be evaluated jointly and by the two establishments involved so far. »
“Unacceptable,” says QS
For his part, the solidarity deputy responsible for the homelessness issue, Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, affirms that this story “breaks the heart”. “It is unacceptable that these young people have been forced to live outside for years, under the eyes of the government!” he reacted. CAQ elected officials cannot remain insensitive to their distress. »Québec solidaire asks Minister Carmant to show leadership to find them a home. “He no longer has an excuse,” concludes MP Cliche-Rivard.
