Quebec LGBTQ2S+ crisis line will maintain overnight services thanks to public support
The Interligne crisis line will, "against all odds," temporarily maintain its overnight services.
The organization, which works with members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, announced Friday evening that it had secured adequate funding to keep the line open during late hours.
Due to a lack of recurring financial support, Interligne previously said it wouldn't be able to respond to nighttime distress calls as of March 31.
"Interligne was unexpectedly able to secure enough funding to allow it to maintain minimum service overnight," reads a statement from the organization.
The statement did not specify how long the funds would allow the service to continue.
Nevertheless, the agency's executive director is pleased with the temporary extension thanks to public support.
"We never thought that the mobilization of the community and the corporate world could help us extend our nightly crisis line. It allows us to save time, to continue to save lives while we continue the discussion with the Quebec government," said Pascal Vaillancourt in the release.
On Friday, Interligne organized a benefit cabaret at the Plaza Theatre in Montreal to support its night line.
In recent months, Interligne has lobbied the Legault government for a recurring sum of $300,000 to ensure the survival of its service between midnight and 8 a.m.
According to the organization, this amount was required to give workers a decent wage.
In February, the Coalition avenir Québec government refused to accept the tabling of a motion by the Quebec Liberal Party calling for funding to maintain the hotline's night services.
Interligne -- formerly called Gai Écoute -- says one-third of emergency calls occur during this time.
"People who call the help and information service between midnight and 8 a.m. often call to express even more urgent distress, at times when psychological support and crisis intervention are more than necessary," the release continues.
On average, more than 35,000 LGBTQ2S+ people contact Interligne's crisis line annually.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 1, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE AT 2:30 MT Evacuation order issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods as wildfire nears
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
BREAKING Sask. man faces 60 charges in child exploitation investigation, with crimes dating back to 2005
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.
Protesters gather at Ottawa City Hall after Israeli flag raised to mark country's national day
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.