Warming breaks | Québec solidaire calls for a new financial effort in Quebec

(Quebec) Québec solidaire is asking the Legault government to make a new financial effort to give the green light to as many places as possible in heat centers in Montreal. As winter approaches, the party fears that projects will remain on the table due to lack of funding.

The CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, which oversees the regional homelessness service in the metropolis, opened a call for projects in October to increase the number of places in emergency accommodation service or as a respite stopover for the winter. The establishment had 1 million to give organizations room to maneuver during the winter season, from 1^is December to March 31.

These sums will be clearly insufficient, believes solidarity MP Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, who surveyed around forty organizations helping people experiencing homelessness in Montreal. According to its compilation, at least ten organizations have submitted projects to create 168 new places – we are talking about warm beds or chairs. However, it would cost $2.4 million.

The elected representative of Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne asks the Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, to increase the envelope of the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud to grant it the funds necessary to carry out all the projects submitted to Montreal. Mr. Cliche-Rivard also emphasizes that 168 additional places is not “the panacea” in the current context and that organizations are also looking for funding to consolidate their services.

The Legault government must present its economic update on Thursday. However, Quebec plans to record a historic deficit of 11 billion. Santé Québec also has the mandate to reduce the expenses of health establishments by 1 billion.

Eight projects selected

The CIUSSS du Centre-Sud confirmed Monday to The Press that eight projects were selected, which will add 118 places at a cost of 1.4 million. These places must be available from 1^is December. Furthermore, “all projects submitted meeting the criteria of the call for projects were accepted. No compliant project has been refused on the basis of a lack of funding,” assures the CIUSSS.

“I am delighted if the funding has been increased, but I remain very concerned to learn that several projects have been refused, despite the glaring needs,” retorts Mr. Cliche-Rivard.

Minister Carmant’s office, for its part, hopes to reach an agreement with Ottawa by the start of winter to reach the 50 million that the federal government is ready to put into the fight against homelessness. These amounts could make it possible to add projects in Montreal, it was indicated.

The Montreal Support Network for Single and Homeless People (RAPSIM) emphasizes that a “fairly limited” number of places can be added with $1 million.

“In Montreal, accommodation spaces have been 100% occupied for over a year. […] Organizations refuse dozens of people every day, or more,” laments community organizer Joannie Veilleux. “We are asking the government to do more. […] Even with the agility of organizations, we realize that it is not enough due to chronic underfunding. »