Tensions rising between residents in Montreal's Chinatown and homeless population
Tensions between residents and homeless people in Montreal's Chinatown are growing.
This weekend, a community organization distributed food along De La Gauchtiere Street, but residents who live just steps away say it's encouraging people to stay when the city should be finding other solutions.
"I'm scared every day to go out from here," said resident Marie-Josee Leblanc.
"It's not like when I came here," said another resident Christiane Jansen. "It's not the same environment."
Last October, a homeless shelter at Complexe Guy Favreau closed. Since then, residents and business owners have reported more crime and drug use.
However, despite sharing their concerns, they say they were ignored by the city.
Many who used the shelter ended up on the street and other facilities, like the Old Brewery Mission, are at capacity.
The residents are suggesting the city convert empty office buildings into shelter space and housing.
"There's lots of empty buildings, even if it's not up to norms and standards, it's better than tents," said Jansen.
For the civil rights group CRARR (Center for Research-Action on Race Relations), it's alarming the situation hasn't been solved since the fall.
"There's something wrong with so much money being spent and people still aren't getting services," said CRARR executive director Fo Niemi.
The city said it can't tolerate camping in public spaces or that the street "becomes an open air hospital or home."
"Our teams take the time to refer these people to different resources depending on their needs," the city said.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise, leaving an uneasy relationship between neighbours.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING New clues emerge in hunt for gunman who killed health insurance CEO
As the hunt for a masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of the largest U.S. health insurer moved into its third day Friday, surveillance footage provided more clues about the suspect's travels and the places he visited before the shooting.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
NDP's Singh forces debate calling on PM Trudeau to send $250 cheques to more Canadians
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP have forced a debate today on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility.
Canadian unemployment rate jumps near 8-year high
Canada had 1.5 million unemployed people in November, propelling its jobless rate to a near-eight-year high outside of the pandemic era and boosting chances of a large interest rate cut on Dec. 11.
Canada's list of banned guns is expanding. Here's what you need to know
Canada is expanding its federal ban on firearms, adding 324 makes and models of guns to the prohibited weapons list, effective immediately.
What is still being delivered? What to know about the Canada Post strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
80-year-old driver with expired licence accused of going nearly double the speed limit in eastern Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police say a man caught stunt driving on Highway 37 near Tweed, Ont. Thursday was 80 years old, and his licence was expired.
Jasper family reunites with cat missing 100 days in the wilderness
Nicole Klopfenstein's four-year-old black and white tabby survived in the wilderness for more than 100 days after a ferocious wildfire forced the evacuation of the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper, Alta., this summer.