SAINT-LAURENT, QC, May 6, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - In light of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic situation, Saint-Laurent Council has granted a donation of an additional $50,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund dedicated to the Borough's socio-community organizations in order to support the most vulnerable residents. This decision was reached at the monthly general meeting on May 5, 2020, held for the second consecutive time via webcast only.
At that meeting, Council also heartily thanked the Caisse Desjardins de Bordeaux–Cartierville–Saint-Laurent for its support, following its decision to grant an equivalent amount of $50,000, to this Emergency Fund, bringing the additional assistance to a total of $100,000.
Quotes
"Even though the latest measures for a gradual recovery of economic and school activities give hope of a light at the end of the tunnel, the needs in the community may still be considerable before the crisis is over, especially among the disadvantaged. This additional $100,000 in assistance that we are granting in partnership with Desjardins, to which I extend my warmest thanks, should make a real difference in the daily lives of those of our residents facing the greatest difficulties at this time."
Alan DeSousa, Mayor of Saint-Laurent
"The Caisse Desjardins de Bordeaux–Cartierville–Saint-Laurent is joining forces with the Borough in solidarity in order to provide emergency financial support to community organizations. More than ever, we are here to support our community and our members in need during this time of unprecedented uncertainty."
Stéphane Lavoie, Director of the Caisse Desjardins de Bordeaux–Cartierville–Saint-Laurent
Highlights
Montreal is particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a major impact on the entire population, and particularly on the most fragile, especially in terms of food security, housing and psychological distress.
In Saint-Laurent, as everywhere else in Montréal, a number of food banks and other socio-community services are seeing a substantial increase in demand for their help, even though human resources are on the decline.
This is why a COVID-19 crisis cell was created to support community circles, with a number of players on the front lines to respond to the distress of the vulnerable population. This cell is made up of the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, the Comité des organismes sociaux de Saint-Laurent (COSSL) and the Borough of Saint-Laurent.
The additional amount of $100,000 consists of the following:
- $50,000 is being granted by Saint-Laurent to community organizations on its territory. An initial emergency fund of $50,000 had already been distributed to seven local community organizations on April 7, 2020. At the time of the call for proposals for granting this amount of money, the crisis cell had received requests totalling almost three times the amount allocated to the fund. It therefore had to prioritize certain actions. This new financial contribution of $50,000 from the Borough is therefore indispensable additional support to community organizations faced with the increase in requests from already vulnerable clienteles.
- $50,000 is being granted by the Caisse Desjardins de Bordeaux–Cartierville–Saint-Laurent. Eighty percent of this amount will go to Saint-Laurent food aid organizations and the remaining 20% to other organizations determined by the COVID-19 crisis cell management committee.
A Desjardins representative will join the COVID-19 crisis cell for the publication of the call for proposals and the examination of requests. COSSL will be the trustee of the amounts of money that will be redistributed to the organizations whose actions will have been selected by the crisis cell and Desjardins.
The eligibility criteria and selection process will be announced shortly.
Related links
Borough of Saint-Laurent
Comité des organismes sociaux de Saint-Laurent (COSSL)
CIUSSS du Nord de l'île de Montréal
Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys
About the Borough of Saint-Laurent
Having celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2018, Saint-Laurent is one of the 19 boroughs in Ville de Montréal. As sustainable development is at the heart of all its decisions, the Borough declared itself a "sustainable municipal territory" on January 8, 2019. Its population of over 100,000, is one of the most multicultural: 81% of its residents are immigrants or have a parent born in another country. Located at the crossroads of Montréal's main highways with great accessibility to public transit, the Borough extends over 42.8 square kilometres in area. More than 70% of its territory is devoted to industrial and commercial activities. With 4500 companies and 110,000 jobs, it is in fact the second largest employment pool on the island of Montréal. It also boasts one of Québec's main industrial and technological centres. And last but not least, with its two libraries, its Centre des loisirs (recreation centre), its new Sports Complex, its arena and some 50 parks, Saint-Laurent offers a wide range of services in many fields, such as culture, sports and recreation. In this way, the Borough ensures a high quality of life for the families and businesses within its community.
SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent
Source: Marc-Olivier Fritsch, chargé de communications, Direction d'arrondissement, Division des communications et des relations avec les citoyens, Borough of Saint-Laurent, 514 855-6000, ext. 4342 / [email protected]; Information: Marc-Olivier Fritsch, Media lines: 438 368-3318 or 514 825-6231
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