Renovations means dozens of Montreal community groups need to move or close
More than a dozen community groups have been told they have to leave their building in Montreal's Parc-Extension neighbourhood.
The William Hingston Centre is set to undergo renovations, and one food program is being forced to close when people in the area need it the most.
The Parc-Extension Youth Organization will end its food service program next week after 22 years of operation.
"We're heartbroken," said executive director Jo-An Audrey Jette.
The community kitchen serves around 150 people every lunch hour from Monday to Friday.
Anyone can come to eat a warm, low-priced meal for $4 to $6.
Clients are devastated that it's closing.
"For me, it's very bad because I'm on pension," said 74-year-old Ernesto Sijuenza.
Sijuenza also comes to the cafeteria to socialize and is a client of the organization's meals on wheels program.
It serves 50 to 70 seniors every day.
That program is also ending.
"We're the ones that catch the people that fall through the cracks and those services are jeopardized right now," said Jette.
The Centre de Services Scolaire de Montreal owns the William Hingston Centre where the organization is located.
In an email, a spokesperson told CTV News that major renovation work needs to be done on the building.
There are many services offered in the building and they are being forced to move to different locations.
"Parc-Extension is going to be poorer for losing this centre," said Jette.
The City of Montreal told CTV News that the proportion of citizens suffering from food insecurity is on the rise and that the city has helped relocate 15 organizations with administrative offices in the building.
Jette said, however, that the city will not help the youth organization find a new kitchen.
"The spaces that we're being offered is the best that this city can do," said Jette. "They're not adequate."
Ensemble Montréal city councillor Mary Deros says Mayor Valérie Plante's Projet Montréal administration needs to do more.
"Right now we are in great need of our own building, our own local community centre," she said.
The community kitchen's last day is March 28. Jette hopes the closure is temporary and that they'll be able to reopen in the near future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
A renewed Russian offensive on Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine forces some 1,700 civilians to flee
Russian forces began a renewed ground assault in Ukraine's northeast, killing and injuring several people and forcing more than 1,700 civilians to evacuate from the Kharkiv region, officials said Saturday.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.