Montreal's new homeless advocate warns of people 'falling through the cracks'
Serge Lareault appointed by city to better co-ordinate services for Montreal's homeless population
Serge Lareault, who founded L'Itinéraire magazine in 1994 to help raise awareness and money for people living on the streets of Montreal, has been appointed the City of Montreal's new official homeless advocate.
The position, which is officially called "homeless protector," is at the centre of the city's new $36.9 million, five-year plan to get 2,000 people off Montreal's streets.
"Homelessness is not only an individual tragedy, but it's also a social tragedy," Lareault told reporters Monday at a news conference alongside Denis Coderre.
"Across the western world, in our cities and wealthy, modern societies, the number of homeless are increasing. More and more people are falling through the cracks."
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L'Itinéraire is sold across the city by 150 vendors who themselves have experienced homelessness, extreme poverty, addiction or some form of social exclusion.
Lareault stepped down as the magazine's director in 2014.
He said Montreal has the resources to make a difference for the city's homeless, but they lack co-ordination.
Providing that co-ordination between different services, organizations and governments and developing a unified vision among them will be key functions of the advocate's post, Lareault said.
"With a global vision and leadership, we can reduce suffering in the streets," he said. "I hope to be that leader."
"Cities that approach homelessness in a methodical, global way have been incredibly successful and have reduced the number of people on the streets in a massive way."
"I think we can make Montreal a city where everyone can live well," he added.
Position part of city's 5-year plan
City Councillor Marvin Rotrand introduced a motion to create the position back in 2014.
When Mayor Denis Coderre announced the city's plan to create it last December, he said whoever filled the position would be a "protector" who would work on the ground with people living on the streets, to ensure city services are available to them and that their rights are respected.
The advocate will be a "link between the homeless and the system," he said at the time.
Coderre said Lareault has the credibility necessary to be that link.
"That credibility will help us all work together. He's there to talk about the reality on the ground," Coderre said.
Umbrella group welcomes new position
Pierre Gaudreau, co-ordinator of RAPSIM, an umbrella group for organizations working with Montreal's homeless, took heart from Coderre's pledge that Lareault would be free to speak out and take necessary action.
"We really hope and we clearly understand from the mayor that Serge Lareault will have carte blanche, that he will be able to denounce and criticize the actions of the police, of city services on some issues concerning homeless people and also to put some demands to the provincial and federal governments."
That freedom, he said, will be essential as Lareault evaluates a proposed police action plan on social profiling.