On June 5, Rosannie Filato, head of public security on the Executive Committee, and Magda Popeanu, vice-president of the Executive Committee and head of culture and diversity in Montreal, unveiled two new actions by the Bureau d'intégration des nouveaux arrivants de Montréal (BINAM) to strengthen the sense of security among immigrants without legal status or in precarious immigration status, including asylum seekers.
These are the implementation of a Fearless Access to Municipal Services Policy and an Intervention and Protection Unit for immigrants, particularly those without status or with precarious status, who have been victims or witnesses of abuse or criminal acts and who are afraid to report this situation.
The unveiling took place in the presence of Véronique Houle, Director of National Operations at Médecins du monde, whose organization is associated with the deployment of the Policy on Fearless Access to Municipal Services, and Jenny Charest, Executive Director of the Centre d'aide aux victimes d'actes criminels (CAVAC) de Montréal, who received the City's mandate to coordinate the new Response and Protection Unit.
Non-discriminatory access to all municipal services
Based on the principle of inclusion, the Fearless Access to Municipal Services Policy allows each resident and their family to benefit from all municipal services, such as libraries, sports facilities and day camps, regardless of their immigration status.
In concrete terms, the City will relax the rules and requirements for personal identification and residence for immigrants, who cannot provide the supporting documents usually required. However, they must identify themselves, as well as the entire population, but they may use the services of third-party organizations approved and recognized by the municipal administration, including Médecins du monde, to provide them with a card and a form to certify their identity and residence. These documents will give them access to the various sports and recreational services offered by the City.
"The Fearless Access to Municipal Services Policy illustrates the municipal administration's commitment to ensure, in complete safety and equity, access to our municipal services in all boroughs for all vulnerable persons, regardless of their immigration status. This new policy embodies the values of equality and inclusion that make Montréal a resilient city," said Magda Popeanu, Vice-President and Head of Culture and Diversity for Montréal on the City of Montréal's Executive Committee.
"Médecins du Monde is proud to be associated with the City of Montreal, which has recognized the difficult situation of migrants with precarious status living in Montreal and taken concrete measures to include these people in municipal services so that they can enjoy the same rights as all residents. For Médecins du Monde, the issue of migration, with and without regularized status, must be at the centre of analysis and policy development around issues of poverty, public health, education and urban security," said Véronique Houle, Director of National Operations at Médecins du Monde.
Confidential support
Ville de Montréal has also given CAVAC the mandate to set up and coordinate the first Intervention and Protection Unit to provide confidential assistance to people with precarious status or without regularized immigration status who wish to file a complaint or who have witnessed, in the event of abuse by an employer or owner, for example, or who are victims of a criminal act. This new service will mobilize the necessary resources according to the person's specific situation and will offer information, guidance, referral and support services that can lead to the complaint if he or she so wishes.
"Immigrants, regardless of their status, have vulnerabilities to abuse and discrimination. Their health status may be affected by difficulties in finding decent employment and income or healthy and affordable housing, for example. The actions presented by the City today support the inclusion of these people in our society and thus contribute to reducing social inequalities in health, one of our public health priorities," explained Dr. Mylène Drouin, Regional Director of Public Health in Montreal.
"We thank the Centre d'aide aux victimes d'actes criminels for agreeing to use its expertise to reach and better serve the vulnerable segment of Montreal's immigrant population. We hope that the establishment of this intervention and protection unit will enable all these men and women who are victims of abuse or crime to file a complaint in complete safety and dignity," said Rosannie Filato, public safety officer with the City of Montréal's Executive Committee.
"We are really very pleased to partner with the City of Montreal to set up this Intervention and Protection Unit for newcomers and immigrants who are victims of crime or abuse. This cell will allow us to better reach, support, accompany or refer people to appropriate resources when the abuse situation is not criminal. We are convinced that this new partnership will make a difference for this sometimes vulnerable population that makes little use of our services," said Jenny Charest, Executive Director of CAVAC.
The Fearless Access to Municipal Services Policy will come into effect in the fall of 2019, while the intervention and protection unit will welcome its first users this summer.
