Montreal police say a baby was referred to Quebec’s youth protection agency after officers responded to a concerning situation involving a woman and a one-year-old close to the Notre-Dame encampment.
READ: Montreal police refer baby to DPJ after incident near Notre-Dame encampment
The SPVM say they received a call about the incident around 7 p.m. last Friday and that officers contacted Youth Protection Services after observing what they described as concerning elements.
“I am outraged to see that there is no monitoring taking place here on Notre-Dame Street,” said Dayanna Rocha, who lives close to Notre-Dame encampment.
“Well, becoming worse and worse and worse, they find one, they’re going to find somebody else. They’re going to find more,” added Lorraine Beaucage, who also lives nearby.
“We need to help the mother; it’s urgent,” said Diane Bélair, a resident of Saint-Sauveur. “I’m not sure what can be done, though, because there are a lot of homeless people camping there now.”
Montreal police are not confirming the exact location of where the baby was found, but say no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. The woman involved in the incident is believed to be the mother of the child.
“We had heard rumours a while back, and as soon as we did, even though we had never actually witnessed the situation ourselves, we immediately notified Neighbourhood Police Station 23 to ensure they were aware and would take the necessary action should the rumours prove true,” said Julien Montreuil, the director general of L’Anonyme.
“I am shocked, shocked in the sense of being stunned, and I am sad.
“Seeing this child and this situation illustrates the fact that, as a society, we are failing to address homelessness effectively. Massive investments are needed in the short, medium and long term to house people and ensure they have stable housing.”
This incident involving the one-year-old child raises concerns about the support for people experiencing homelessness and living in encampments, notably during the current Quebec election campaign.
“I believe that all elected officials with authority should intervene in this situation, because serious failures have occurred,” Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard said.
“Well, of course the City of Montreal will be an important partner in changing the course of that very heavy trajectory where homeless people are growing in numbers of thousands very quickly,” added Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
“Interventions have previously been carried out by the City of Montreal. So, does the mayor want to stop this type of intervention?” Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette said.
“I can’t wait,” said Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada. “I need to have more agency. And I’m looking at all the options – even legal ones.”
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