CIUSSS

Dorval Mayor enacting solutions for Inuuk population

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Dorval Mayor Marc Doret is calling for an urgent round table think tank on how to resolve issues related to intoxication in the Inuuk community causing safety issues and public disorder in his municipality.

Following several months of discussions between the City of Dorval and the Ullivik Center, a centre that responds to the needs of the Inuuk population in the area, Doret estimates that 20 per cent of the Inuuk population in the area are struggling with issues related to drugs and alcohol. The evening hours are the most concerning, according to Doret, as many (of the estimated 20 per cent) are outdoors during that time and under the influence.

“It’s a problem that’s not getting better and we need to face it. It needs to come out of the closet,” Doret told The Suburban. “We need to sit down, the city, the CIUSSS, Ullivik, the SAQ, business owners selling alcohol in Dorval, AJOI, the SPVM, the STM and the Quebec government. We need to put our heads together and first have a frank discussion on this issue and determine the best course of action needed to address the issue. The safety of the Inuit population is primordial and the effects on residents must also be considered. It is our duty not to abandon them when in this situation.”

Doret says that with the Ullivik Center having reached capacity while the Inuit population continues to grow, there are more and more people living in the area without access to necessary resources to support them upon arrival. The Ullivik Center also does have the resources to accommodate persons who are intoxicated. “Aside from being over capacity, the centre does not take in people who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and unlike other sectors, like Ottawa for example, that has separate centres nearby where people can get sober, here — they remain outdoors. We need to find a way to reach that population and address these issues. They are interacting as best as they can in a very strange world and we are trying to integrate this population by incorporating familiar entertainment, for example, at some of our outdoor events,” Doret explained. “We also need to demonstrate to the population of Dorval (as a whole) that we acknowledge the issue. We have a responsibility to help them (the Inuuk population) integrate and keep them safe.”

The roundtable is planned for August of this year. Doret hopes to find resolutions for his community as a whole and has committed efforts towards resolutions since 2022, when two Inuuk women, Jane Tulugak and Nellie Niviaxie, lost their lives in similar circumstances 24 hours apart when they were struck by vehicles as they were travelling from the Ullivik Centre to Dorval’s commercial and transport hubs. A Quebec Coroners report revealed that both of the victims were in a state of intoxication at the time of their death.

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Langevin calls latest city homeless consult “a smokescreen”

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The City of Montreal in collaboration with the Montreal Regional Health Authority (CIUSSS) and the Health and Social Services Network is launching a major public consultation which will be conducted by the Public Consultation Office of Montreal (OCPM) “to gather the opinions of the population concerning the conditions for success leading to the harmonious integration of resources dedicated to people experiencing homelessness or of vulnerability in the metropolitan areas.”

At the announcement, the Plante administration acknowledged the increasing pressure on community organizations and promises that “new” solutions to respond to the urgency of the situation will emerge from the consultation process. Pierrefonds-Roxboro City Councillor and the Official Opposition spokesperson on Homelessness Benoit Langevin is calling this announcement another “smokescreen” in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.

“We are seeing that more and more residents, parents, families and business owners are concerned about the way resources are planned in their area and we must do better in anticipation of increasing needs. We have heard the population and we want to involve citizens and community organizations in the search for clear tools and guidelines to improve our practices and ensure more harmonious integration of aid resources in the territory. If we want to adequately respond to the growing needs of vulnerable people, all stakeholders must do more to better plan the opening of resources in neighborhoods and take into account the needs of the population. We must move forward with lucidity while understanding the real issues linked to cohabitation and the feeling of security so that everyone can live with dignity and security in Montreal,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante stated.

Dr. Mylène Drouin, regional director of public health for the Montreal region, is calling the circumstances surrounding homelessness a public health crisis. “Visible homelessness is increasing and changing in Montreal. This is a complex phenomenon that has multiple facets. It is important to propose responses adapted to these different aspects while ensuring that the voice of the population, including that of marginalized people and people experiencing homelessness, is included in this consultation effort.”

Langevin told The Suburban that this announcement is a delaying tactic and that persons experiencing homelessness in this city take no immediate or short term benefit from these “talks”. Langevin says he even doubts the long-term benefits as he has seen no concrete action that leads him to trust the new proposed process. “I am seriously asking, why do we need a consultation to know ‘how to consult’? This is prolonging a process. After six years of opening and closing shelters — why does Montreal now need a public consultation to produce a report? Did they not state numerous times that they consulted with the organizations?” n

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Police shut down West End motel on drug and pimping charges

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Motel Saint-Jacques in NDG was shut down by police in a major raid aimed to take down a prostitution, firearm and drug trafficking network that has allegedly been running through the motel for years. The owner and one employee were arrested and are facing charges of pimping and drug trafficking.

Police received a rare warrant to place the motel under a blocking order to conduct a full investigation while ensuring all operations are stopped throughout the process. All tenants occupying the 31-room motel were evicted. At the onset of the raid, the Tactical Intervention Group discovered four unconscious persons that were intoxicated in an apartment. Ten women were taken into the care of social workers belonging to the local health network. Community outreach officers from The Assistance Center for Victims of Crime (CAVAC) of the SPVM are meeting with victims in collaboration with the Health Authority (CIUSSS).

Several tenants including at least one elderly woman who live at the motel full-time received a two week notice to evacuate their motel apartments. Police officers remain on site, supervising the motel and the remaining tenants were given information on resources to help them re-house themselves elsewhere.

With the blocking order in place, the owner is prevented access to the building and cannot sell the property while the legal proceedings are in effect. This prevents a potential sale of illegal business operations, a continuation of operations under new management or any takeovers.

This operation required careful planning and consideration of the victims in order to be carried out effectively. It is rare for police to obtain a warrant for a blocking order and place a property under constant supervision. Sixty police officers from various SPVM squads, including the newly established ACCESS and Proceeds of Crime section, were deployed to shut down the motel and the alleged illegal operations that it is connected to and to maintain constant supervision.

This property has been on police radar for many years with many reports of overdoses, multiple links to underage prostitution and prostitution, pimping as well as other facets of criminal activity related to firearms and violence. n

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Quebec Ombudsman warns of excessive use of restraints at LGH

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre

The West Island health authority (CIUSSS) and the Quebec health ministry received recommendations following an investigation conducted by the Quebec Ombudsman of the Lakeshore General Hospital (LGH), after multiple reports of negligence were filed.

“In January 2023, the Québec Ombudsman received several reports of negligence in the quality of care and services provided by Lakeshore General Hospital emergency staff,” Ombudsman Marc-André Dowd wrote. The Quebec Health Ministry requested an independent investigation into the hospital last February.

According to the report, the West Island health authority (CIUSSS-ODIM) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) are aware of the issues of difficult working conditions and work overload at Lakeshore General Hospital.

The investigation includes concerns about staff practices such as the excessive use of restraints. “The investigation showed that there were several flaws in this area,” Dowd determined. Restraints are control measures designed to limit a person’s movements to ensure both their safety and that of others. They can be physical, such as barriers, bindings and force, or chemical, such as sedatives.

Dowd noted that emergency staff lacked knowledge about the protocol governing control measures; restraints were sometimes used too quickly without alternative measures attempted first and there were shortcomings when it came to supervising and record-keeping use of the control measures.

Several recommendations were made to the Quebec Health Ministry as well as the West Island health authority and both are required to report back to the Ombudsman by April 30.

This hospital serves a population of more than 225,000 and its emergency room receives more than 40,000 visits a year, making it one of the busiest in Montreal. “Despite their heavy workload, all staff members are concerned about providing quality services and care to users,” Dowd stated. n

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