No money for drop-in centres

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The Quebec government just announced it's giving Montreal $46.5 million to combat poverty. But protesters outside City Hall last Monday wanted to know why Mayor Pierre Bourque won't give any of the cash to three downtown drop-in centres.

One year ago, Bourque cut all funding to the St. James Drop-In Centre, le Centre de soir Denise Masse, and la Maison des amis du Plateau.

"It's not right," says Richard Mukshowa, one of the 100 people protesting the funding freeze.

Mukshowa has been going to St. James for nine years, and says the 60 guys who spend their days there aren't lazy bums trying to feed off the tax payers' teat: most have mental health problems, drug addictions, or both. The Centre offers them a warm place to spend the day, and a social worker to remind them when to take their medication so they won't hear voices and wander the streets.

During the public question period before the last City Council meeting, Bourque was asked about the freeze.

Bourque--who has no plans to put new money into the centres--replied that funding them is a federal responsibility. And, he added, "The responsibility of the City is really to be aware of the social problems."

--Craig Segal

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