Montreal organizations call on federal government to fund 2SLGBTQ+ complex

A coalition of community organizations is calling on the federal government to fund the building of a multi-level 2SLGBTQ+ community complex in Montreal's Village, which they say the community is sorely lacking.

With the help of the city, provincial grants and private donors, Espace LGBTQ+ bought a large empty commercial building on Ste-Catherine Street last fall. It applied for funding through a federal program that is getting a $500-million bump in Tuesday's budget, but hasn't heard back in 14 months.

Organizers are hoping to access just over $7 million of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program funding so they can provide much-needed services downtown.

"We see different organizations moving out of downtown, into spaces that might be more accessible in terms of paying less in rent but losing access to communities," said Désirée Nore Duchesne, the vice-president of Espaces LGBTQ+.

The vision — which Duchesne says has been two decades in the making — is to have businesses like a bookstore on the first floor, offices for community organizations and various services on the second floor and a large open space that can be used for events on the third floor, all accessible by elevator.

WATCH | Inside what could be the Village's LGBTQ+ community complex: 

What would an LGBTQ+ community complex in Montreal's Village look like?

8 months ago

Duration 0:57

Espace LGBTQ+ is asking the federal government to support the building of a community complex in the Village. It would include bookstores, offices, resources and an event space.

But the 2,230-square-metre space needs a lot of love before it can be used by anyone. A flood and deterioration from sitting empty have left a damp smell with the walls and floors in shambles and full of mould.

Duchesne says money from the federal government would allow Espace LGBTQ+, which encompasses 54 community organizations, to fully renovate the building and hire employees to manage it.

Despite submitting an application over a year ago, Duchesne said the organization ran into bureaucratic hurdles and was never informed if it was rejected. She hopes the funding announced Tuesday will turn the tides.

The federal Ministry of Infrastructure did not respond to CBC's request for comment by the time of publication.

Need in the Village

Duchesne says it's important to keep organizations that provide services to Montreal's LGBTQ+ community in the Village, which "is not going super well."

There are more and more people in need in the Village, which led the city to create an action plan to revitalize the area. Duchesne says consolidating resources in one place could create "a net for the neighbourhood."

Kenny Bolduc, the strategic advisor for the Espace LGBTQ+, said the complex will have services geared toward everyone who is part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, including non-profits with resources for lesbians, trans people, sexual health, immigration support and more.

"This project is super important for the community because the Village is a sanctuary," he said.

"People from every region of Quebec sometimes run toward this place to run away from abuse. We know that hate crimes have increased in Canada. It's important for us to have a home in our neighbourhood."

Gabrielle Rondy, the head of the Société de développement commercial du Village says the organization fully supports the Espace LGBTQ+ project, saying it is "crucial for revitalizing Montreal's Village and creating a space for diverse communities in the area."

Rondy says having a new complex would draw in more foot traffic and provide much-needed space for those in the community.

"We believe Espace LGBTQ+ will play a pivotal role in promoting social inclusion and diversity within the community while supporting the most vulnerable groups. We urge the federal government to provide the necessary funding to realize this," she said in a statement.