A recent forum in Montreal shed light on the critical issue of homelessness, with candidates from leading political parties sharing their strategies to tackle this pressing social crisis. The event, hosted by the Movement to End Homelessness in Montreal and the Réseau d’aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal, featured Robert Beaudry of Projet Montréal, Benoit Langevin of Ensemble Montréal, and Craig Sauvé from Transition Montréal.
Moderated by journalist Jean-Luc Mongrain, the 90-minute debate at the Maison du développement durable attracted a diverse audience comprising community workers, politicians, and reporters. The discussion revolved around key themes such as homelessness prevention, emergency services, housing solutions, social inclusion, and the criminalization of homelessness.
Each candidate presented distinct approaches to address the issue. Langevin of Ensemble Montréal outlined a $100-million plan to enhance emergency shelters and proposed the creation of a tactical intervention group to optimize shelter locations. Meanwhile, Sauvé from Transition Montréal advocated for a state of emergency declaration to repurpose vacant buildings as shelters and emphasized community-led support over police interventions in homeless encampments.
Beaudry of Projet Montréal underscored the importance of long-term prevention measures, including protecting rooming houses and expanding affordable housing options citywide. The party focuses on enhancing housing protections, providing support for homeless individuals, and creating new social housing units.
The forum also highlighted the specific challenges faced by homeless women, with candidates acknowledging the need for an intersectional approach to address their unique needs. While the discussions brought forth promising ideas, stakeholders emphasized the importance of translating these proposals into tangible actions to make a real impact on the homelessness crisis in Montreal.
