Bienvenue à NDG

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

Bienvenue à NDG got some welcome news last week as borough council voted unanimously to give the organization $500,000 to continue its activities as a non-profit organization responsible for integration and Francization of immigrants.

The 12-year-old nonprofit is the only local organization mandated by the Ministry of Immigration, francization and integration (MIFI) for this mission, playing a key role in the first steps taken towards full integration into Quebec society by newcomers.

The $500,000 will be reserved from the borough’s available surplus to ensure financing over five years and help to help pay the rent ($100,000 annually from 2025-2029) at a new address.

Bienvenue à NDG found itself in a precarious situation since the owner of the building it occupies on Belgrave announced it would reclaim the premises for their own use, according to borough documents. That would jeopardize the organization and all its activities for new arrivals, which would have significant impact on more than 3,000 people from some 80 countries that benefit from their services.

Director Luis Miguel Cristancho told council the group was facing a turbulent times in the face of its imminent move, and “it is with immense gratitude and hope that we welcome today the financial support of $500,000 for rental costs,” thanking councillors and borough staff for their support.

The new location will be at 3830 Décarie, formerly the Caisse Desjardins de Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, a space expected to allow the NPO to improve access to services and the quality of programming.

According to the 2021 census, there is a higher percentage of recent immigrants in NDG (14%) than on the island of Montreal (8%). n