THE LATEST
Our Recent Accomplishments
This document is a consultation report, which highlights the issues and needs facing the community of the southern West Island across 9 Areas of Interest (Housing, Food Security, Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion, Health, Seniors, Family, Early Childhood and Youth, Education, Transit and Environment). This document is based on data from the latest census conducted by Statistics Canada, in 2021, unless otherwise specified. The purpose of this portrait is to guide the creation of the TQSOI’s next Social Development Action Plan for 2024-2029, and residents, community organizations and elected officials are encouraged to use this document to better serve the needs of the southern West Island community.
The West Island Food Security Network project, funded by Centraide Grand Montréal, aims to connect stakeholders, political decision-makers, engaged citizens and funders in order to create more opportunities for collaboration and communication with a common goal to achieve a more food secure West Island.
This document was drafted in the framework of the project “Together for a more inclusive southern West Island” that aims to address the challenges of not having the full participation of immigrants and ethnocultural minorities in the southern West Island by developing tools, raising awareness among local organizations and setting up favorable conditions – free from racism and discrimination as well as promoting the establishment of intercultural relations.
The present portrait is based on a large literature review, on a statistical analysis as well as on surveys that were conducted in the territory.
Taking the first steps!
A new Concertation Coordinator was hired to manage the TQSOI Social Development dossier and we are now well into the research and planning process. A key milestone was reached when the Social Development Action Plan Committee (SDAPC) convened as a group for their first meeting on September 27, 2023. Their mandate in addition to other foundational documents were approved by consensus. We are now able to continue on our path towards the creation of the second Portrait and Action Plan 2024–2029.
The Table de quartier sud de l’Ouest-de-l’Île, in collaboration with its partner organizations, and as part of the Volunteering Support’s initiatives (Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Committee) dedicated to fostering a culture of youth volunteerism in the West Island, successfully organized the fall edition of the Youth Volunteer Fair on September 23rd. This event proved to be a resounding success for the local organizations and individuals who participated.
TQSOI project, “Together for a More Inclusive Southern West Island” is dedicated to enhancing the engagement of people of immigrant origin and ethnocultural minorities in local community organizations and the broader community decision-making processes. Over the summer of 2023, our project team meticulously crafted a comprehensive strategy to engage these communities and construct their “Portrait of Participation.” This effort involved surveys and a thorough review of pertinent literature. More information on this project.
Last October 19th, the TQSOI organized, in collaboration with TQNOIM and PME MTL Ouest-de-l’île, a Food Security Forum uniting more than 75 food security stakeholders, policy makers and engaged citizens. The event was a real success but first and foremost a great opportunity to discuss our collective needs and challenges around food security in the West Island. It was also an opportunity to present our latest Portrait on the state of food security in the West Island along with an updated resource list.
On October 22nd, 2023, a community food drive was organized in partnership with the YMCA. It was an extraordinary success with more than 262 cars stopping by to donate which resulted in about 50 boxes to each of the 4 food banks!
In 2023, the TQSOI’s project to set up a new organization dedicated to protecting tenants’ rights achieved significant milestones! In March 2023, the Comité d’action des locataires de l’Ouest-de-l’Île (CALODI) was created. A Board of Directors was elected during the foundation assembly in June 2023. Since then, the Board continues to work on structuring this new organization. In addition, the CALODI team continues to support West Island tenants. Since the creation of the support services, over 300 tenants have been helped. For more information on the CALODI, please consult this page.
The Community Housing Toolbox puts tools in the hands of community members with the goal of raising awareness about the possibilities of social housing and highlighting available resources in community housing. The toolkit aims to demystify some common challenges – such as social acceptability, the lack of awareness of the resources that already exist, confusion surrounding zoning, difficulty in finding funding or housing development expertise – which community groups often face when trying to develop community housing in the West Island.