The southern West Island has traditionally been considered as a wealthy community, and its social development needs have long gone unrecognised. Pockets of poverty, homelessness and social issues are hidden in the midst of this wealth. The decision to form a community council (Table de Quartier), became an obvious and a necessary one, with the aim to unite many local forces in addressing the needs of the population.
Several members of the community chose to unite and establish a roundtable where local stakeholders could discuss the issues of poverty and other concerns encountered in the southern West Island. A multi-sectoral network is fundamentally necessary in order to build a global vision of local priorities, and to align efforts and actions with the aim of improving the quality of life for everyone – especially for the less fortunate members of the community.