Roaming and homeless encampments
"Laval is managing this phenomenon in the dark. We need a status report and a plan! - Claude Larochelle, interim leader of Parti Laval.
Laval, Monday, January 15, 2024 - Following a series of publications earlier this year on the phenomenon of homeless encampments in Quebec, we learned that Laval had neither a portrait of the encampment situation on its territory nor a plan for dealing with it. Highlighting the city's blind management of the homeless phenomenon and the growing impact of the housing crisis on it, Parti Laval interim leader Claude Larochelle tabled a related notice of motion at the first city council meeting of 2024. The Leader of the Opposition is calling for a consultation with homeless organizations to assess the situation in Laval and develop an action plan to help the homeless population.
Laval must do more than just ban regulations
In December 2023, draft by-law L-12992 was postponed after questions raised by Parti Laval raised doubts about the by-law's effects. The by-law codified new offences such as begging, solicitation and encampments, which, according to Louise Lortie, city councillor for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, "specifically targeted the homeless population."
"The rising cost of living, the lack of community resources and the housing crisis are hitting our city's most vulnerable people hard. This can have repercussions on homelessness and encampments, even if it's not always visible. Our role is to help these marginalized people, who sometimes find themselves on the street overnight. Unfortunately, we seem to prefer to act unilaterally in Laval. Neither organizations nor specialists in the field are consulted, and all responsibilities are entrusted to the police department, without a plan or inventory. This is worrying. Banning everything by regulation won't help anyone. When it comes to homelessness, we have to do things differently," emphasizes Claude Larochelle.
For a concerted plan
While homeless encampments are spreading outside Montreal, Laval is struggling to establish a picture of the situation and a plan. "Already, several cities like Sherbrooke, Quebec City and even Montreal have a homelessness plan or strategy. Homelessness is a collective responsibility that requires consultation and concerted action. We must act before it's too late," asserts the interim leader of Parti Laval, who is behind the proposal that will be debated at the February meeting.
"We need to work together to find effective, but above all humane solutions that are rooted in today's reality, to address the phenomenon of homelessness and homeless encampments, which have been the subject of much discussion of late," adds Marc-Aurèle-Fortin councillor Louise Lortie.
Source: Parti Laval Cabinet
Information: Tommy Vallée, Communications Manager | 438 875-8663 | t.vallee@laval.ca