Roaming and homeless encampments
Boyer administration closes door on consultation and concrete action
Laval, Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - Despite the urgent need for action and the establishment of a plan to deal with homelessness and homeless encampments in Laval, the Boyer administration on Tuesday evening rejected the proposal put forward by Claude Larochelle, interim leader of Parti Laval and Fabreville city councillor. Larochelle had called for a consultation with organizations working in the field of homelessness, with a view to drawing up a plan to help the homeless as quickly as possible. "This decision by the Boyer administration is completely disconnected and leaves our city without a clear vision to help the homeless population," denounces Mr. Larochelle.
A decision that speaks volumes
Reiterating that the lack of social housing in Laval and rising rent prices are exacerbating the problem of homelessness, the opposition is concerned about the mayor's approach, which, in December 2023, had tabled a draft bylaw codifying new offences such as begging, solicitation and encampments on Laval territory. Another decision that Parti Laval finds hard to explain is the fact that the mayor's party chose to close the door, on Tuesday evening, to its proposal calling for a consultation of homeless organizations and an action plan. "The judicialization of homelessness is not an action plan. This decision speaks volumes about the mayor's way of doing things. In December, the organizations themselves asked us to be part of the process. The only thing we have is a plan piloted by the Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux, but it doesn't seem to address the issues decried by our organizations. Laval must have its own plan," adds Marc-Aurèle-Fortin city councillor Louise Lortie.
"Laval has been managing this phenomenon blindly for too long. We have proposed a solution to correct the situation and equip ourselves, notably by involving the players concerned, to deal with this phenomenon effectively and humanely. The response from the mayor's party is that they prefer to let someone else take care of the concrete actions," worries the interim leader of Parti Laval, who stressed on Tuesday evening that "Laval can't afford to deprive itself of the expertise of Laval organizations."
At a time when the phenomenon of encampments is spreading and dismantling is multiplying, Ms. Lortie criticizes the mayor's orientation. "We only have one shelter, resources are lacking and this is contributing to the increase in encampments. Meanwhile, the elected representatives of the Mouvement lavallois tell us they're in action. They couldn't be more out of touch. How will the city handle the situation this summer? The Boyer administration doesn't seem to know, and that's what's most worrying," concludes the Parti Laval councillor.
Source: Responsable des communications - Office of the Official Opposition of Ville de Laval
Information: Tommy Vallée │438 875 8663 │t.vallee@laval.ca