Indigenous homelessness: a “humanitarian crisis” that challenges all governments

The Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), Ghislain Picard, welcomes the report of Ombudsman Nadine Mailloux.

[Me Mailloux] talks a lot about consultation in his report, he pointed out to the radio program 15-18 Wednesday. Everyone has a role to play. As much the City of Montreal as the Government of Quebec and us, on the side of the First Nations.

It is no exaggeration to refer to this situation as a humanitarian crisis, he continues. This is at the heart of our concerns.

In 2021, two Indigenous people living in a situation of homelessness lost their lives in Montreal, recalls Chief Picard.

Raphaël André, an Innu, died in a chemical toilet at the corner of rue Milton and avenue du Parc in January 2021. Elisapie Poogootook, an Inuk, died in November 2021. She was found on the construction site of a downtown condo tower.

For Nakuset, Executive Director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, the ombudsman’s report is a good thing, but it only reiterates what organizations working with these populations have been repeating for years.

What’s it going to take to take action?she asks in a telephone interview.

Already, in the past year, two people have lost their livesshe underlines, referring to the deaths of Raphaël André and Elisapie Poogootook.

The solutions exist and have been known for a long time, she continues. What is missing is willpower.

For the Nunavik-based company Makivik, which participated in the ombudsman’s investigation, the report’s recommendations are essential to meet the needs of Inuit living in a situation of homelessness in Montreal

We are pleased to see that the Ombudsman’s findings reflect the work and goals that Makivik has carried out over the years. We expect the various levels of government to take the recommendations seriously and address issues that disproportionately affect not only Inuit, but all Indigenous groups who experience homelessness in the city.Makivik President Pita Aatami wrote in a statement.

The City welcomes the report with openness and empathy

At the City of Montreal, the associate advisor to the mayor and to Reconciliation with indigenous peoples, Alia Hassan-Cournol, assures that the administration is seriously studying the report.

This is an important report, Mrs. Hassan-Cournol first underlines during a telephone interview. We are talking about humans, we are talking about very serious issues. We welcome this report with great openness and great empathy.

Alia Hassan-Cournol also recalls that the City has adopted strategies for reconciliation and for homelessness and that these plans have similarities with the recommendations of the ombudsman.

We must continue to go further, she adds. We take note of the report and we take note of the recommendations.

We agree with the ombudsman, we need more consultation, says Ms. Hassan-Cournol. We need our federal and provincial partners to be there.

However, for the Official Opposition at City Hall, the Plante administration abdicates responsibility for roaming.

It is symptomatic of this administration to constantly blame Quebec and all the more worrying because the Ombudsman’s report is unequivocal: the City of Montreal must “fully assume its leadership” and use its skills to finally set up a stable refuge adapted to Inuit peopleis it written in a press release published on Wednesday.

We thank Me Mailloux for the conclusions of his report […]. Its conclusions are in line with what we have been denouncing for five years nowcan we also read.

On the radio show All one morning released Thursday, the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Ian Lafrenière, underlines that the government will continue to collaborate with the City of Montreal.

The Québec Ombudsman will also conduct an investigation into Aboriginal homelessness in the Milton-Parc sector.