Montreal's new homeless advocate warns of people 'falling through the cracks'

SergeLareault,who founded L'Itinrairemagazine in 1994to help raise awareness and moneyfor people living on the streets of Montreal, hasbeen appointed the City of Montreal's new official homeless advocate.

The position, which is officially called "homeless protector,"is at the centre of the city's new $36.9 million, five-year plan to get 2,000 people off Montreal's streets.

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"Homelessness is not only anindividual tragedy, but it's also a social tragedy," Lareaulttold reporters Monday at a news conference alongside Denis Coderre.

"Across the western world, in our cities and wealthy,modern societies, the number of homeless are increasing. More and more people are falling through the cracks."

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L'Itinraireis soldacross the city by 150 vendors who themselves have experienced homelessness, extremepoverty, addictionor some form of social exclusion.

Lareaultstepped down as the magazine's directorin 2014.

He said Montreal has the resourcesto make a difference for the city's homeless, but they lack co-ordination.

Providing that co-ordination between different services, organizationsand governments and developing a unified vision among them will be key functions of the advocate's post, Lareault said.

"With a global vision and leadership, we can reduce suffering in the streets," he said. "I hope to be that leader."

"Cities that approach homelessness in a methodical, global way have been incredibly successful and have reduced the number of people on the streets in a massive way."

"I think we can make Montreal a city where everyone can live well," he added.

Position part of city's 5-year plan

CityCouncillorMarvinRotrandintroduced amotion to create the positionback in 2014.

When Mayor Denis Coderre announced the city's planto create itlast December, he said whoever filled the position would be a"protector" who wouldwork on the ground with people living on the streets,to ensure city services are available to them and that their rights are respected.

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The advocate will be a "link between the homeless and the system," he said at the time.

Coderre said Lareault has the credibility necessary to be that link.

"That credibility will help us all work together. He's there to talk about the reality on the ground," Coderre said.

Umbrella groupwelcomes new position

Pierre Gaudreau,co-ordinator of RAPSIM, anumbrella group for organizations working with Montreal'shomeless, took heart from Coderre's pledge thatLareault would befreeto speak out and takenecessary action.

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"We really hope and we clearly understand from the mayor that SergeLareaultwill have carte blanche, that he will be able to denounce and criticize the actions of the police, of city services on some issues concerning homeless people and also to put some demands to the provincial and federal governments."

That freedom, he said, will be essential asLareaultevaluates a proposed police action plan on socialprofiling.