Virtual meeting about cohabitation at Cabot Square, May 20th, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm.

The virtual meeting about cohabitation at Cabot Square went smoothly, thanks to Maryse Chapdelaine, project manager at Peter-McGill Community Council, in collaboration with Emma Campbell. About 50 people attended the meeting, all directly or indirectly concerned with neighbourhood issues at Cabot Square.  During the meeting, speakers used the phrase “persons in a situation of homelessness” instead of “homeless people” to avoid stigmatization and hasty judgment.

1. The meeting started with an excellent introduction by Cathy Wong, City councillor. As usual, during the whole evening, Ms Wong said pertinent, generous, and well documented comments. In her introduction, she mentioned that cohabitation in Cabot Square is a delicate balancing act between social and community actors, residents, Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, and the city’s institutions, in particular the police.  She spoke of solidarity between all parties involved, especially given the deconfinement coming soon.
2. Maude Séguin, councillor on homelessness for the City described well the context for the City’s interventions: which are made in collaboration with the Health ministry, who oversees this question. According to Ms Séguin, the pandemic exacerbated emergency situations for homelessness, by forcing the closing of several shelters.  To remedy this lack, the city will implement a plan until March 2022 to put the number of accommodations back to what it was before the pandemic.  In particular, it will add beds in organizations such as Chez Doris, Open Door, day centers and two centers specifically for Indigenous people, without mentioning of course the big tent at Cabot Square (see later). Moreover, the city will install a « wet shelter » (centre with medically supervised alcohol consumption).  According to Ms Séguin, the pandemic led to an important creativity among all actors and a new expertise.  For example, there are now several peripherical shelters, which means that emergency lodging is not limited to downtown anymore.
3. Nakuset and Alexandra Ambroise described specifically the situation as lived by the Indigenous peoples. Nakuset reminded all about the tragedy of Raphaël André’s death.  A short time after his death, she had spoken with Yves Lafrenière, Michel Audette and other actors, to install bed accommodations for Indigenous persons (but not exclusively for them).  The big tent at Cabot Square – which by the way is called “Raphaël André” – was installed for this purpose.  Alexandra Ambroise manages the tent since February 2^nd, and its clientele tripled since its opening. Ms Ambroise explained that

• • The tent has 15 beds (more like long chairs): 6 for women, 6 for men, 3 for rotation every 30 minutes;
  • 15 employees work at the tent;
  • The tent opens at 7:30 pm for employees and 8:00 pm for users;
  • 75 hot meals are prepared every day;
  • About 90 to 125 users come each night;
  • And the tent is cleaned during the night and thoroughly disinfected in the morning.

Moreover (information added by Maude Séguin), security is maintained by Mohawks, which is an interesting arrangement.

4. Marie-Claude Ouellet then presented the « Plan de cohabitation sociale: Square Cabot et environs, printemps-été 2021 », emphasizing that it is an ongoing plan, subject to modifications. This plan, with lots of details about names of interventions and important dates, has 6 axes:

1. 1. Support to the persons in a situation of homelessness or marginality;
   2. Intervention and social mediation;
   3. Security, maintenance and cleanliness. In particular, Cactus manages the used syringes recovery.  Every resident is invited to dial 311 if they find that more recovery boxes should be installed in their neighbourhood;
   4. Animation and occupation of public space. Ms Ouellet mentioned proudly that, despite the pandemic, there were almost as many activities in the Square in 2020 than in 2019. Also, she mentioned that the Round House Café is back this year;
   5. Communications;
   6. Coordination of actions.

5. Finally, the question period allowed everyone time to express their grievances and comments. Questions were pertinent; answers were clear and precise.

1. 1. Pedestrianisation of Sainte-Catherine street. Between Guy and Metcalfe, Sainte-Catherine street is pedestrian during the weekends; however, between Atwater and Guy nothing will be done before September.
      1. Cristina D’Ariemo stated that the terraces on that segment are installed on parking spots, which should not reduce the available space on sidewalks; this remark produced a lot of reactions from residents who said on the contrary that there is not much room to walk where there are terraces.
      2. Ms Wong expressed her exasperation due to the lack of collaboration of merchants, as well as her own experience trying to move her toddler’s stroller.
      3. Ms D’Ariemo spoke again and said that the merchants would accept that the segment between Atwater and Guy was pedestrian, if there were some animations on the street. If it is not the case, they prefer to keep the parking lots to ease deliveries.  Two surveys will be done this summer (mid-summer and at the end) to get a better idea of what is going on in this zone.
   2. Hector-Toe-Blake Park. Some police will be present in the park (according to police); however, no animation is planned this summer, according to Ms Wong, who nevertheless encourages residents to express their ideas.
   3. Evaluation: the question was asked on how to determine whether the Plan de cohabitation sociale will meet its objectives.
      1. For Maryse Bouchard, evaluation will be assessed though satisfaction surveys. She repeated that the plan is evolving and will therefore be modified if necessary;
      2. Ms Séguin reminded us that the plan is subject to the norms from the Health Network, which will perform adequate evaluations;
      3. Finally, Ms Ambroise mentioned that, since the tent Raphaël André opened, 10 people got out of the street, which brought enthusiastic congratulations from all the participants in the meeting.

6. In the end, Ms Wong, Ms Chapdelaine and Ms Ouellet concluded by their closing remarks this meeting, which was filled with information, faith, and reconciliation.

Philippe Finès