Since 2009, Montreal has seen a proliferation of what are known as “mixed squads,” which generally involve a police officer working alongside a social worker or health worker to respond to situations in public spaces. Some experts and police say these squads can help leave repression behind to provide support to marginalized people. But what happens when we pay attention to the perspectives of those who work on the frontlines with unhoused people? Listening to these perspectives and bringing them into the public debate is the aim of a new report on mixed squads in Montreal. We contributed to the research. The perspectives of frontline workers couldn’t be clearer: far from being a form of support, mixed squads have further harmed unhoused people ... CLICK HERE for the full story
A discussion on political, economic and social issues in British Columbia, and Canada