On Friday, during the extreme cold snap in Montreal, two friends joined forces to offer coats and meals to homeless people in dire need and with their hands completely frozen.
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“When we saw that temperatures would drop below -40 degrees Celsius, it was spontaneous. What can we do?” summarizes Ariane Goyette, who challenges elected officials and Mayor Valérie Plante to tackle the scourge of homelessness more effectively.
After seeing the weather forecast a few days before the extreme cold snap that swept through Quebec, she wrote to her friend Noémie Charest, who served hot meals to the homeless every week.
The two friends launched an appeal on social media that immediately sparked a wave of generosity, explains Ms. Goyette. They quickly collected 50 coats, new or used, numerous pairs of gloves and socks, as well as spaghetti and dozens of hot soups.
“It created an incredible wave,” says Ms. Goyette. “I think people like to get involved and give something. I was surprised.”
Photo courtesy of Ariane Goyette
Ariane Goyette and her friend Noémie Charest provided coats and other warm clothing and meals to the homeless during the extreme cold snap in Montreal on February 3, 2023. Pictured: Ariane Goyette during this operation under the Atwater flyover where homeless people were camping in tents. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARIANE GOYETTE
“It looked like dead hands”
On Friday afternoon, Ariane and Noémie arrived at the Old Brewery Mission in the Ville-Marie district with four other friends aboard three trailers full of food and clothing.
The group then encountered a first homeless person.
“The guy was wearing a T-shirt, a leather coat wide open and no gloves,” says Ms. Goyette. “We offered him soup and when he took it his hands were so purple and swollen they looked like dead hands,” she continues with a tremor in her voice.
“Every time I talk about it, tears come to my eyes [me] stand out,” she explains. “It’s the first pair of hands I’ve seen in this condition, but after that I saw them all day.”
Shortly thereafter, the three vehicles were surrounded by homeless people patiently waiting for clothes and food.
“The majority of people were really in need and took everything,” says Ms. Goyette. “There is one, when he saw that we had warm clothes, he started screaming and crying. He couldn’t believe we could cover for him.”
The city of Montreal opened temporary shelters through Sunday to help this population. Ariane and Noémie, however, noticed on the ground that there were several people outside.
Accompanied by the police
On site, the Good Samaritans were stopped by Sûreté du Québec (SQ) agents, who asked them if they had enough clothing and food to visit the underside of the Atwater Flyover, where other homeless people were staying in tents.
“The homeless said they were cold. […] The police went to the Old Brewery Mission and met a group of volunteers,” confirms Stéphane Tremblay, spokesman for the SQ.
After they said yes, the volunteers were escorted by the police to this makeshift camp.
On site: A sad scene played out. A man who could no longer stand the cold fled to one of the vehicles to warm up.
“His hands were blue and black, swollen,” says Noémie Charest. “It was inhuman and I couldn’t understand that people were outside.”
Valérie Plante must “go to the field”
Noémie and Ariane regret having experienced so much suffering during their initiative.
“I think he needs help,” says Noémie. “I know there are centers and resources. But on the giving side, I think people give a lot at Christmas and then there’s nothing.”
Photo courtesy of Ariane Goyette
For her part, Ariane challenges Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante head-on.
“To say it’s okay and it’s under control, she’s clearly not on the pitch. I invite him to go under the Atwater flyover and chat.
“I think all ministers, mayors and officials should go to the field to look at the situation. If you don’t see it, you can’t make any adjustments,” added Noémie Charest, who highlighted the presence of a Quebec government minister. [Lionel Carmant] at the Old Brewery Mission on Friday.
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