Much of the talk on Friday surrounding Montreal's upcoming municipal election focused on housing.
Projet Montreal's Valerie Plante announced a plan to build 3,000 units for the homeless over a 10 year period should she win the election on November 5th. Speaking at Acceuil Bonneau, Plante says the action plan would not only help those currently living on the streets, but also those on the verge of becoming homeless.
Robert Beaudry is Projet Montreal's candidate in the Ville-Marie borough, and says the party intends to fight homelessness across the island of Montreal and reduce pressure in the downtown core.
Plante also says if elected, the party would create a "2-1-1" line that Montrealers could call if they feel they could soon be on the streets.
Toughening up on slumlords in Cote des Neiges-NDG
Community groups in Cote des Neiges-Notre Dame de Grace say poor housing conditions are contributing to health problems, especially in young children, and are calling for candidates in the upcoming municipal election to make improvements.
According to the Montreal Public Health Department, 38 percent of rental housing units in the borough with children between the ages of six months and 12 years have either mould or excessive humidity, conditions that could lead to asthma. Cockroaches are also being found in a number of these units, and residents say just six city inspectors and one community agent are checking housing conditions.
Sue Montgomery is running for Projet Montreal, and says her party will increase the number of inspectors as well as create a public registry of poor dwellings.
Incumbent Russell Copeman with Equip Coderre says if re-elected, $250,000 would be budgeted to help clean-up poor housing units. The landlord of the dwelling would then be billed for the work.