The occupants of the camp erected in the wooded Steinberg, in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, were summoned a few days ago by the Quebec Ministry of Transport (MTQ) to vacate the premises on Monday. On the spot, some people joined the campers to give them their support.
Earlier this morning, some homeless people from the Hochelaga camp had moved their tents to private land a few meters further north on Assomption Boulevard. Since noon, the police have blocked access to this new site and the tents there are being dismantled in a dropper.
The press briefing by the counselor responsible for homelessness within the Plante administration Nathalie Goulet was disturbed by a man posing as a street worker. Ms. Goulet said that we cannot tolerate organized camps on the territory of Montreal. At the same time, she affirms that all the occupants displaced today will have a place in accommodation this evening.
According to Michel Monette, General Manager of Care Montreal, present at the Steinberg workcamp, they do not wish to participate in “the current operations”, but could return later.
While the primary objective is to support “campers”, Mr. Monette says Care Montreal is fiercely opposed to dismantling.
“If the campers decide to go, we’ll go with them. If they decide to stay, we will stay with them, he explained to those present. We are there to support the campers, not to defend our own causes. ” – Michel Monette
A padlocked fence
Guylain Levasseur, an occupant of the Steinberg camp, set up his vehicle and trailer in front of the entrance last night, and the fence was padlocked by other occupants this morning.
If some wish to resist, everything remains peaceful for the moment.
“What’s the point of putting us outside,” asks Alexandre, one of the occupants. It doesn’t solve the problem, it just moves it. ”
People on site are still waiting for a representative of the MTQ to come to the site to formalize the eviction notice.
More details to come.
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