Remembering 150 years of residential schools on Canada’s 154th birthday

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When Phyllis Webstad was only six years old, she went to the Mission for one school year. It was 1973. She lived with her grandmother and never had much money, but her grandmother bought her a brand new outfit to go to the Mission school. Phyllis picked out a shiny orange shirt and felt so excited to go to school. When she got there, they stripped her, took her clothes, and she never saw that orange shirt again. 

When she was 13 years old, she had a son. Since her mother and grandmother went to residential schools for a decade each, she didn’t know what it meant to be a parent and needed help from her aunt. At age 27, she began her healing journey. She writes, “I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the Mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further [from] the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done!”

This is a story usually told on September 30 for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Phyllis created Orange Shirt Day on the same date. But it’s important to be telling it now, because the horrors of Canada’s residential schools are still present and felt every day. 

In late May, the remains of 215 children were found at the former Kamloops residential school in British Columbia. Since then, another 715 unmarked graves were found in Saskatchewan residential schools. Just yesterday, another 182 unmarked graves were discovered near another residential school in BC. In 2019, it was reported that the number of children identified in death records during Canada’s residential school era was about 4,200. About 1,600 of them were unnamed. It’s estimated that there are thousands more as we continue to find remains. 

Residential schools are not so far in the past as Canadians would like to think. The very last residential school in Canada closed in 1996, meaning people who are 25 years old today were alive while these schools operated. Many residential school survivors are still alive. And the abuse that took place is no secret, as prime minister John A. MacDonald said they were to “beat the Indian out of the child.” This isn’t in our high school history books, though.

The same year the last residential school closed, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples released its final report, whose fifth volume presented a roadmap to reconciliation. After Canada fell short on implementing proposed solutions, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report was released in 2015. The TRC contains 94 calls to action, including the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. There is still much to be done. 

At Face a Face, we recognize that Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by homelessness as a consequence of our colonial history, which includes residential schools and ongoing discrimination. Children were stolen from their families and traumatized. Even those who didn’t attend the residential schools deal with the intergenerational trauma and historical trauma transmission. These atrocities were legal and acceptable. It was only in 2008 that the Canadian government apologized for them. 

Over 150 000 children attended residential schools during their 150 years of operation. Well over 6000 children died in the system. Let’s keep those numbers in mind while Canada celebrates its 154th birthday. 

For more information

Read the RCAP report

Read the TRC reports

Donate and volunteer 

Open Door

Resilience Montreal

Meals for Milton Parc

Projets autochtones du Québec  

Native Friendship Centre of Montreal  

NYSHN  

Seven Generations

Other resources: 

Reconciliation Canada

Digital Toolkit

Empowering the Spirit

Indiginews

Bill 96 Will Disproportionately Affect Those Already Marginalized

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Quebec is working to strengthen its language laws once again, citing a decline in the use of French in the province. While many celebrate the Bill 96, others are apprehensive about how it will impact human rights, in part due to its use of the notwithstanding clause to circumvent sections of the federal and provincial charters of rights. Among those most impacted would be low-income anglophones and recent immigrants who aren’t fluent in French. 

Bill 96 would make French the only language in which the government could communicate with people, with exceptions for those with the right to go to elementary school in English, those with a history of communicating with the same government agency in English prior to 2021, immigrants who have been in Quebec less than six months, and Indigenous people.

The minister responsible for Bill 96, Simon Jolin-Barrette, says that this actually won’t change anything for anglophones and isn’t stripping anyone of their rights. But beneath the surface, Bill 96 will pose major challenges for the province’s already-vulnerable population. Some of the people who will face the harshest consequences are those who need access to social and economic benefits such as social assistance and pensions. Those with a limited grasp on the French language might not be able to understand eligibility requirements, for example, since the information is complicated and technical. 

For example, it might be difficult for a homeless man newly eligible for his Quebec pension to provide the government with satisfactory documents proving his right to communicate with them in English, the only language he understands. 

This additional roadblock will be all the more frustrating because it is so deliberate and unnecessary. English translations of government form letters will still be drawn up, but those who lack English eligibility will be prohibited from receiving them. Government agents may wish to speak English on the telephone to vulnerable people who do not understand French, but they will be prohibited from doing so.

Face à Face has worked with vulnerable populations and has seen countless examples of people becoming discouraged by government red tape from accessing their economic and social rights. Many of those we work with are more comfortable speaking in English, use our mail reception services to get their social assistance cheques, and it’s already difficult for them to get official papers and ID even at the best of times.

With French already having been Quebec’s official language for decades, the new requirements under Bill 96 that prevent the government from communicating in non-official languages even with vulnerable people seem unnecessary at best.

Increased Loneliness During the Pandemic

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The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone’s mental health. People have been feeling stress and anxiety due to isolation, fear of getting sick, and grieving the loss of normalcy or perhaps loved ones. The pandemic also limited all social contact, exercise, time spent outside, and generally interrupted our daily routines. This week, Quebec is lifting its “28-day” curfew measure after nearly six months. 

But, even with the reopening plan having been announced, the effects of the last year linger on. Many Quebecers have reported feeling anxious about returning to “normal” social life after months of confinement and fear. So, even if they have the option to socialize again, many will continue to social distance, contributing to loneliness. Others don’t have access to a support network that can help them work through these feelings, and are disconnected from family or friends. 

The pandemic exacerbated already-existing issues like femicides and domestic violence as well. In April, 10 women had already been murdered, leading Quebec to declare a domestic violence crisis. Addiction and overdose have also been on the rise. A report released in December 2020 showed that 40% of Canadians have struggled with their mental health and addiction since the pandemic started. In 2020, 547 people died from opioid overdoses in Quebec and Ontario saw a 135% increase in overdose deaths. 

Young people and students have been particularly affected by loneliness and feeling disconnected as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. Loneliness was already on the rise pre-pandemic with one in five Canadians reporting feeling lonely in 2018. Studies show that social media is a contributing factor to feeling lonely and isolated and while we’ve been social distancing, many have been using social media as their window to the outside world. 

Like young people, seniors have been dealing with loneliness long before the pandemic. Those who are in hospitals and nursing homes, which were ravaged by COVID-19, are especially vulnerable. Their families haven’t been allowed to visit and many aren’t comfortable with technology, which increases feelings of loneliness and fear. 

Loneliness is deadly. Studies have shown that being lonely directly affects life expectancy by weakening the immune system, which may increase vulnerability to disease and infection. Extended periods of loneliness may increase mental and physical disease and impact the brain, affecting its reasoning and memory performances, hormone homeostasis (which controls blood glucose levels and blood pressure), the brain’s amount of grey and white matter, and connectivity and function. The risks get higher the longer people are in a state of loneliness. 

If you’re lacking a support network or fear returning to a semi-normal social life as the province reopens this summer, you are not alone. Face a Face offers counselling services and an active listening line to offer you the opportunity to express your thoughts and feelings in a welcoming and confidential environment. We aim to support vulnerable and isolated individuals to encourage the process of empowerment and social reintegration. 

We have a team of trained interns and community workers who are available to listen to you to help you overcome your personal difficulties. Together we can identify your strengths and personal resources to help you cope. A referral service is also available for other mental health and community resources.

Even if you don’t want counselling services and just need someone to listen to you and chat, don’t hesitate to call our support line at 514-934-4546. 

Other resources: 

Montreal’s housing crisis: what can be done?

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If looking for an apartment in Montreal is making your head spin this year, you’re not alone. A report released last week shows that in 2020 the city saw its biggest rent increase in the last two decades. Yes, during a pandemic. 

On top of skyrocketing prices, tenants groups have been working tirelessly to help people navigate discriminatory practices, apartment conditions, and evictions under the pretext of renovations to bump up rent (renovictions). More and more people are being forced to accept subpar living conditions, taking on a lease they can’t afford, or staying put in their apartments. 

Montrealers have been concerned about the acceleration of the housing crisis for years. For example, Parc-Extension has been seeing the effects of gentrification brought on by a new Université de Montréal campus in the area since 2017. Though 43 per cent of Parc-Extension households live below the poverty line, rent prices have been going up while major cultural hubs are bought by condo developers. 

The previous municipal administration promised residents 225 units of social housing. By 2019, only 54 units had been built. According to the 2015 census data, Montreal’s homeless population reached over 3,000 people, over 400 of which sleep outside. Though homelessness rates are lower than other major cities facing housing crises like Toronto and Vancouver, Montreal has a higher number of people sleeping outside. 

With July 1, Montreal’s moving day, rapidly approaching, factors brought on by the pandemic are presenting additional challenges like loss of income and limits on in-person visits. While people are struggling to find housing, Quebec’s premier proved to be out of touch with the city’s reality when he estimated that an apartment in Montreal costs $500 per month. 

The numbers are grim. Even with Quebec announcing a $151 million project to build 1500 units of affordable housing in the province, many are skeptical since these promises have been made before. But it is a step forward and one that is sorely needed. Housing activists have also been advocating for a mandatory publicly available and free rent registry to demand accountability. However, the provincial government has deemed the project “too expensive.” 

Though many are reluctant to rely on the government, there are ways Montrealers can work together to keep rent prices low and help each other find housing. Here’s some important information everyone should know: 

Refused housing based on discriminatory practices?

Are you unsure that you’ve been discriminated against? Here’s what’s covered by the Charter of Rights and Liberties:

  • Race and ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Pregnancy
  • Sexual orientation
  • Familial situation
  • Age
  • Religion
  • Political beliefs 
  • Language
  • Ability
  • Socio-economic standing (though a landlord can make sure you can afford rent, they cannot discriminate based on your source of revenue.) 

What can I do if I’m being discriminated against? Is it even worth it to bother complaining?

Yes! It’s always worth it to know and exercise your rights. You can file complaints through the Commission des droits de la personne et de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) at their 1-800-361-6477 number. Make sure to have: 

  1. A copy of the landlord’s advertisement (screenshot, photo, newspaper clipping, etc.)
  2. Copy of any forms you’ve filled out, emails, and/or texts showing the landlord’s refusal. 
  3. Date and time of the phone call and/or in-person visit. 
  4. Landlord’s name and contact information.
  5. If possible, proof that the unit is still available (ad, witness, texts/calls from a friend who was offered a visit, etc.)  

The CDPDJ will advocate on your behalf within a 48 hour delay by contacting the landlord and reminding them of their obligations under the Charter. This works for most, though others may have to go through a more detailed complaint process that involves an investigation. 

Source: Comité logement Ville-Marie 

Transferring your lease.

Did you know you can assign your lease to someone else? That means the next tenant will be paying the same rent you did. You must notify your landlord of your intention to assign your lease in writing, and they are not allowed to refuse the assignment without a serious reason. If you think your landlord refused a lease assignment based through discrimination, refer to the previous section. For more information go to https://www.tal.gouv.qc.ca/en/assignment-of-a-lease-or-subleasing

Always check how much the previous tenant paid in rent.

According to the law, landlords must disclose how much the previous tenant paid per month in Section G of a lease. Often landlords omit this information and tenants have no way of verifying if it’s accurate. Providing the next tenant with a copy of your lease, either in person or by mail, is an act of solidarity and keeps prices in check. 

How can I avoid abusive rent hikes?

Once you have your new lease in hand, check Section G. If the landlord is charging you more than what is listed in Section G, you have 10 days after signing to demand a price revision. If the landlord failed to indicate the previous rent price or fudged the information, you have up to two months to demand a revision. 

Source: Comité logement Ville-Marie 

How do I refuse a rent hike?

Landlords are only allowed to hike your rent by a small percentage each year based on major renovations and taxes. Your landlord should provide you with all necessary documents proving that the rent hike is justified. 

The rent hike should be in writing following the Regie du logement’s model. After receiving the document, you have one month to print out the refusal form on the Regie’s website, fill out your information and response, and send it to your landlord. If you and your landlord can’t agree on a price, they have one month to open a file with the Regie who will then call you to a hearing and set a fair price. 

What can Face a Face do for me?

Face a Face Montreal offers some services to find housing. For those lacking internet access, we can conduct housing searches online and provide a list of phone numbers to contact. Under special circumstances, we can also accompany clients to their visits. We offer referrals to shelters and social housing.

Jen & Charlie’s Journey

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Jen and Charlie have worked and volunteered for Face à Face for a combined period of 7 years.  Jen began her time with Face à Face as a student while Charlie started out as a volunteer and their commitment to the organization and to the people they work with evolved into many different roles. Charlie also worked as the Volunteer Coordinator and was responsible for recruitment, training and supervision of the volunteer clinical team.  Jen worked hard at networking with partner agencies and foundations and organized and updated Face à Face’s current Resource Information Bank.

They have gone on to completing their studies and have started their professional careers. Despite their busy schedules, they remain dedicated to Face à Face’s mission. Jen, who works in the community, considers Face à Face an ‘allied resource’ – a hub for information, consultation, and most importantly, for client referrals. Charlie, who works as an academic advisor while pursuing her PhD in developmental psychology, nods approvingly at this statement.

The skills learned during their time at Face a Face has helped them develop their professional identify and reinforced their love for working with people.  They remember developing and refining their interpersonal skills, active listening and crisis intervention skills, and they were introduced to a plethora of resources – references that help them in their work today. Jen and Charlie also praise the network of friends and colleagues that is Face à Face. Working with marginalized groups, vulnerable groups, is not an easy job, but here is a wonderful community of people working together for the greater good and doing so in a way that is humane, that promotes care, and self-care too. When asked, “where do you put it all down?” – the hardships, the heart-wrenching encounters – they sigh, they smile. Jen talks about her walk home, how she disconnects, and distracts herself in between shifts. Charlie talks about learning to trust her clients, how they always seem ok in the morning, despite the turbulence of the previous day. Nevertheless, for particularly hard days, there is always the community. They check in on each other and pay attention to how they’re doing. “It’s home,” Jen says of Face à Face. It’s not just the skills, and the people, but also “the feeling you get when you come here everyday, and you leave,” says Charlie. Of course, they realize that Face à Face is facing a great struggle now, a financial struggle that may jeopardize their ability to provide on-going services. This is why they urge the population to take action in supporting Face à Face. This is a community organization that needs to be preserved. This is why “every fundraiser we can go to,” they go to, and they urge you to as well.  Jen and Charlie are the epitome of the community that can be found and fostered at Face à Face.

Written by Emma Telaro

Mike Palmer

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Mike Palmer is the Executive Director of the Foundation of Catholic Community Services, a non-profit organization that owns the building where Face à Face is currently located. When Centraide unexpectedly cut their funding a year ago, Face à Face was forced to look for a new locale. Of course, finding accommodation is often quite difficult for non-profit organizations. Mike, however, was exceptionally welcoming. He chose to help Face à Face because it “epitomizes the foundation’s mission.” That mission is simple: to support organizations with its infrastructure in helping to change people’s lives. The foundation has created a unique model with its infrastructure, a ‘shared space’, that rents out their offices to groups that are in need, rather than privileging those that can ‘afford’ the usual price tag that comes with a downtown location. This way, they have redefined what a building can be, and do. This is a rarity worth preserving: a business model that helps the non-profit. Truly, the foundation has cultivated a space for non-profit groups to come together in forming a collectivity that allows them to support one another. The building where Face à Face is located houses 25 organizations – a vibrant community formed of individuals and groups with different mandates that have all come together in supporting each other. When asked what Face à Face has brought to their community, Mike answers plainly, “Life.” Anyone that walks through the building’s doors immediately senses the dynamic community therein: “What was really missing was a service provider… and now we have service providers. There are people. There’s action. There’s drama. There is work being done in the community.” Mike urges the population to help Face a Face in facing their new financial struggles – struggles he, as a director of a non-profit organization, is all too familiar with. He recognizes that “helping people and changing people’s lives is a difficult job, and any group like that deserves all the support we can give them.” He is spot-on. Thank you, Mike, for your on-going support.

Written by Emma Telaro 

The Harm Reduction Principle

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Face à Face is successful in their interventions because of their approach: a humanizing clinical framework that privileges the Harm Reduction Principle. The goal of the Harm Reduction Principle is to reduce harms associated to risky behaviours by actively involving individuals in their own recovery. Through guidance, individuals are encouraged to identify for themselves negative behaviours, and to remedy these slowly, until they get to the point where they are living a harm free life. Although this is an approach that is not always well-received, its success rate is higher than traditional, medical models, and this for many reasons. It’s a method that looks at systems of oppression – the consequences of racism, ableism, and of socio-political and gender inequalities and takes these into account in formulating strategies for recovery. Grace Fontes, the director of Face à Face, says “People don’t get up feeling like they don’t want to be part of a big social fabric. They want to, but things happen, and sometimes it’s out of their control.” Face a Face helps them gain back that control. Not many people ask their clients, “what do you want? what will work for you?” and perhaps, most importantly, “what does this mean to you?” It’s questions like these that place individuals at the center of their own healing by encouraging empowerment, self-determination, and individual dignity. Clearly, this is a method that works: Face à Face boasts over 22 000 interventions per year, and 200 volunteers that give them over 10 000 hours of volunteer work per year. Again, this is an approach that is not well funded, but that works. As Grace says, “What we do we do well. What we need to do now is find money.” Making up for lost funds is necessary to keep the organization running effectively in meeting their clients’ needs. Smaller organizations are often at the heart of their communities and do the hard work with very little fanfare. Face à Face is no different. They are not very well known to big funders, but to the 20 000 plus individuals who use their services every year, Face à Face does good work. It is word of mouth that has kept them going for all these years.

In keeping with the agencies inclusive and solution-based approach, Grace is confident, “we’re going to find allies that will allow us to be us.”  


Written by Emma Telaro

Alfred’s Story

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Alfred first encountered Face à Face by accident. He had recently been released from the penitentiary when he came across a sign outside their door advertising free coffee. Twenty-five years later, he still comes around, “I go into to Face à Face to let them know I’m still alive, and to cause trouble, to get them in a laughing mood,” he says jokingly.  Alfred is currently in the hospital. His heart is very weak. Throughout his interview, he often pauses to catch his breath. But his spirit remains strong. This is a man who is straightforward, witty and a survivor. He is also unwavering in his loyalty to Face à Face. He understands their impact, because he has experienced it first hand.

Over the last 25 years, he has used Face à Face’s services many times. He has faced adversity throughout most of his life and has struggled to cultivate a place for himself where he felt healed and balanced.  He has lived on the streets, apartments, motels and back again. In all that time, Face à Face has supported him, listened, referred and championed him. He has since become something of their unofficial spokesperson, agreeing to give talks at several of their fundraisers, and promising to participate in any future events, “even if I’m in my bed at the hospital, I’ll get there somehow.” Although his tone is light, public speaking is difficult for him. Often, much of his past comes up in his talks – a history of abuse, and the death of his sister still haunt him. “I’m working on it,” he says. Despite this trauma, Alfred still chooses to tell his story, and this because of his mission: “I want to make sure Face à Face never closes, that’s why I do the fundraising.”

Face à Face has meant everything to Alfred. There he feels at peace and has found people he can trust – it is, quite rightly, “the only organization that actually treats me with dignity and more than just a guy with problems.” This is the perfect way of summing up their extraordinary humanity – what sets them apart from other service providers and warrants their conservation.

Written by Emma Telaro