Deaths on Montreal streets “are unacceptable,” Montreal says, and “no one should die anonymously,” while the duty revealed that at least forty homeless people died in the metropolis last year and that there is no centralized registry to record their deaths.
“The deaths on the streets of Montreal are unacceptable and everything is being done to ensure safety and a warm place for all people who need it,” said the duty the press secretary of the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante. No one should die anonymously. » We add that homelessness and the count of people are the responsibility of the Government of Quebec through Public Health.
Unlike Toronto or British Columbia, in Montreal or Quebec it is impossible to know how many homeless people die each year, as well as the causes. Many roaming resources and experts request a centralized registry to monitor and adapt policies.
Asked about the topic by the duty, the councilor responsible for Social Services Lionel Carmant, does not see it as a priority. “Overdoses, lack of shelter, I think we know what the causes of death are,” he said. Homelessness is not a cause of death. »
He admitted that he did not know if the number of dead is increasing or decreasing, because “we don’t have data”. “I think we would need investments to follow this up, and the most important thing is to invest in the prevention and treatment of homelessness,” he continued.
According to the review of dutythe main causes of death are overdoses, suicides, physical health problems related or not to consumption and accidental deaths.
Quebec solidaire, for its part, is in favor of the implementation of this register. “Every death is a tragedy, but when it also happens in solitude, anonymity and indifference, it says a lot about our society,” the party on housing and housing reacted to the social network.
With Alexandre Robillard
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