Advocates renew calls for City of Montreal to let homeless use vacant lot as shelter space
Advocates are calling on the City of Montreal to take action after raising concerns earlier this week about a controversial fence on a vacant lot on Park Avenue.
It’s not just any lot — it’s a gathering place for people living on the street and the people who use it say they feel shut out of the place they’ve long called home.
Passersby may not notice anything special about the vacant lot, but people like Tommy Partriege relied on this place because he has nowhere else to live.
“Six years ago there was nobody around. Me and my brother created this and now, everyone is like family together,” he said.
That family has grown to more than a dozen people. He said the street has provided them not just a home, but also protection when there's nowhere else to go.
“If we were somewhere else, maybe most of them — lots of them — would be dead by now, but they’re still alive because we’re here,” Partriege said.
However, this week, they were shut out. A fence was put up around the perimeter of the privately-owned lot, leaving many sitting on the curb or on people’s front steps looking for somewhere else to go.
“People are sitting on the sidewalk. Passersby have to go into the street to get around them. People are sitting more in the doorways of businesses,” said John Tessier, coordinator of The Open Door mission.
He said a resident was killed last year after a smaller fence was put up. Kitty Kakkinerk was blocked by the fence and ran into the road, apparently trying to flee an abuser. She was struck by a car and died.
“The money that has been spent on ambulances and police alone, you put it all together and a nice centre could have been built already,” said Plateau resident Andree Deveault.
Tessier said the people who rely on the lot need a “safe and dignified” place to live. He said the city is considering buying another lot across the street to help out.
When contacted by CTV News, however, the city only said it is considering a number of options.
“Several aspects must be taken into consideration to arrive at a solution that meets the needs of both vulnerable people and residents of the neighbourhood,” wrote city spokesperson Hugo Bourgoin in a statement.
For now, social workers and police will patrol the area and shelter capacities have increased.
In the meantime, people at the Park Avenue lot say they’re staying put as they wait — and hope — for change.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.