TML In the News

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

100 Faces of Homelessness

Thousands Gather Across Quebec to Uphold
the Rights of Homeless Persons

Hull, October 18

On Friday, October 18, the 35th annual Night of the Homeless was held across Quebec, under the theme 100 Faces of Homelessness. This night was marked in more than 62 municipalities. During the activities, they held marches, spoke out, expressed their desire to eradicate homelessness once and for all, demanded housing for all, and adequate financial resources year-round to provide humane living conditions. Besides other things, people who gathered also brought food, blankets, clothing and warm coats for those in need.

Gatineau

On October 18, the Annual Night of the Homeless was held in Gatineau for the 22nd year in a row. This year it was held in Sainte-Bernadette Park in Hull. The event is an action of solidarity, an event that highlights people's humanity, affirming that the community will never accept that people experiencing homelessness are treated as disposable or collateral damage in the race for profits by political and economic elites.

The event was organized by the Regional Collective to Fight Homelessness in the Outaouais (CRIO). The Outaouais is one of the regions that has suffered the largest increases in people experiencing homelessness since 2021. Around 30 community organizations participated and a team of paramedics was present.

As an integral part of affirming the humanity of all involved, there was the traditional march at 5:00 pm. In the streets, the participants proclaimed loud and clear that the most fundamental right of people experiencing homelessness and of those who work with them is to have a say in how the housing crisis and other social problems are resolved. They need to have a say in how to change this situation where not only the most vulnerable, but the body politic as a whole, is kept out of the discussion.

During the march, Tanya, who works with the homeless, put it this way: "We are gathered tonight not only to remember the existence of people experiencing homelessness, but to give them a voice. The Night of the Homeless is an important moment to remember that behind every number, there is a human being with dreams, hopes and stories. Homelessness is not just because of lack of housing, it is the result of a broken system, social inequalities, lack of support for mental health, addiction and difficult family situations. This is a reality that we can no longer ignore.

"It is also important to demystify the prejudices that still persist today towards people who are homeless. The people who end up on the streets aren't here by choice, it's because they lack affordable social housing. Faced with this crisis, we opt for compassion, dignity and solidarity. Together, we must campaign for public policies that support social housing, demand adequate support services but also create open and caring reception spaces for all. Together, we can make a difference, we can create a society where everyone finds their place."