Gatineau mayor says 83 tents and structures are at encampment near Robert-Guertin CentreNadine Peterson, director general of the Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l'Outaouais, the school services centre for west Quebec.
"Throughout the city, there are people experiencing homelessness, so we must learn to live with this reality. On the other hand, it shouldn't be to the detriment of the security of my students and employees." "I have absolutely no confidence. I'm not saying they're mean, but I think it's too close to our kids," said Mélanie Léonard, who has a child at the school.
The city has increased the presence of social workers and Gatineau police say they've increased their presence with plain clothes and uniformed officers. She wants to find solutions, even though her organization isn't responsible for the nearby encampment. She said people who live in the camp will often come to the shelter looking for services or necessities, such as towels.