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After a long search, health officials had finally found a safe and convenient place for Inuit patients to stay while getting medical care in Montreal. But some residents close to the old Chinese Hospital in Villeray have voiced oppostion to converting the building.
Complaints at a recent public meeting ranged from possible loss of parking spots, to concerns over drug and alcohol abuse and increased crime in the neighbourhood, to calls for the building – empty for the last ten years – to be used for services for Villeray residents.
The Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal was also criticized for not adequately consulting residents and municipal councillors about the project, which would house up to 143 patients and travel companions from Nunavik at any given time, for an average stay of 5 to 10 days.
A smooth process became impossible, said agency head David Levine, due to inflammatory public outcry and media attention beginning in April, referring to a misinforming and racist website called “Danger Imminent” about the project. In early May, the Villeray-St-Michel-Parc Extension burrough froze all zoning change approvals, which will stall the project. The necessary renovations to the Chinese Hospital are expected to take up to 18 months, but won't start without the burrough approving a zoning change.
The health agency is now striking an implementation committee, whose mandate is not yet determined, but which may respond to the requests of local opposition to evaluate the social impacts of the project. Levine noted impact studies are not done when CLSCs are being opened. He also said the level of activity around the proposed residence would be much less than it was for the Chinese Hospital.
Inuit patients from Nunavik are presently being housed in several locations around the city. Two will soon be closing, one in September and one in April.
“The Inuit state of healthcare is inferior to Canadian norms, and only very basic health needs can be met in Nunavik,” said Gilles Boulet, assistant executive director of Nunavik’s regional health board. Thirteen percent of Nunavik's population is less than 4 years old, he said, and the majority of patients who would use the housing are under 18 and over 50 years old.
Larry Watt, director of out-of-region health services for Nunavik, was the only Inuit person to speak at the meeting. He told the Park Extenstion News life has changed drastically for Inuit people, who have moved from a nomadic lifestyle to sedentary communities 50 years ago. He said that's when death rates rose significantly for Inuit, with diseases like tuberculosis and measles, and until specialized health services are available in the North, people will need treatment in centres like Montreal. “Inuit are taxpayers just like any other citizen,” he said.
“I'm happy this meeting happened,” Watt said, adding he hopes for more understanding with the local population.
Racist content has been removed from the “Danger Imminent” website and replaced with words of welcome for the residence, and links to information about Nunavik and its residents.
On Saturday, July 3, there is a meeting for local residents to build a committee in support of the residence. It will start at 10am at 660 Villeray St.