Photo: Mr. Benoit Eclache, spokesperson for ACVMtl at the press conference
By: Roger-Luc Chayer (Photos: Gay Globe)
(Montreal, July 12, 2024) Yesterday, a press conference was held at the Ville-Marie Borough offices (Montreal’s Gay Village) to officially announce the creation of this new citizens’ association in the Village of Montreal. The event was attended by members of the Board of Directors, Robert Beaudry, elected representative of Ville-Marie, and a large audience, including several journalists.
The Association was able to present its objectives, and Robert Beaudry explained why the borough views the arrival of this association very positively, as it aims to address numerous issues such as:
- Security in the Village
- Cleanliness
- Construction and traffic flow, including public transportation management
- Neighborhood life
- Heritage and building management
- The nightlife policy the city wishes to implement
- Housing and access to affordable housing
- Social and community development.
Photo: Robert Beaudry, councilor in Ville-Marie
The spokesperson at the press conference, Mr. Benoît Eclache, delivered an excellent speech on the seriousness and intentions of the association, which took the opportunity to express numerous concerns to Robert Beaudry. The audience also voiced their opinions and questioned the elected official about the many consultations that often, at least so far, have not led to any concrete solutions on the ground. As we all know, Montreal’s Gay Village is experiencing an unprecedented crisis, reaching a breaking point in 2023 with the threat of many merchants closing their terraces to protect their customers from criminalized, drug-addicted, or homeless individuals, who are present in record numbers in the Village.
The communications manager for ACVMtl, Mr. Daniel Matte
The communications manager for ACVMtl, Mr. Daniel Matte, gave an overall presentation and moderated a highly engaging question period that allowed several members of the audience to question Councilor Robert Beaudry about the numerous failures of recent years with the City’s programs aimed at alleviating the current crisis in the Village. Mr. Matte took the opportunity to clearly state, looking directly at Councilor Robert Beaudry, that the Association was independent and sovereign from the borough, despite sporadic technical assistance that the borough could provide. The message was well understood by everyone present, as in recent weeks there had been concerns about the organization’s independence. These concerns were clarified to the satisfaction of those attending the conference.
Responding to a question from the audience, Councilor Robert Beaudry confirmed that Neighbourhood Station 22 of the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) would not be closing and that there was a moratorium on this issue. This news was met with great relief by many, including representatives of the association.
In conclusion, the new citizens’ association appears to be well received by the Village population. Residents, businesses, and supporters are encouraged to join the association, which already boasts several hundred members. The borough, through Councilor Robert Beaudry, has committed to listening to the association’s recommendations and implementing necessary measures to achieve tangible and visible results on the ground. Robert Beaudry also indicated that this association would enable him to better advocate to the Quebec Government, noting that more stakeholders involved would increase the chances of obtaining increased state assistance. To be continued…