Local Montreal opens primary health clinic for local community

Montreal's first culturally safe family health clinic officially opened on Friday.

The goal of the Local Montreal Clinic will be to provide holistic and culturally appropriate services to the local community that complement existing government services. The main project started in 2021.

They worked with many partners, including Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé and First Nations and Inuit Relations Minister Jan Lafreniere.

“The family health clinic we've created should be a supportive place that offers an environment that reflects the needs and shared values ​​of this community,” Montreal Local Executive Director Phillip Mailer said in a press release.

The Native Montreal clinic will be a shared responsibility model between CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montreal and other partners to improve access to front-line services with a focus on health and prevention.

The clinic meets the needs of local communities by serving families, children, adults and seniors.

“I am very pleased with the opening of this clinic, which reflects our government's commitment to continue its efforts to improve front-line care and culturally responsive services for Indigenous citizens in the city, taking into account their unique needs,” said Dubé.

In addition, the clinic will have medical professionals specially trained to meet the needs and realities of local communities.

According to a press release, the Montreal area is home to more than 35,000 Aboriginal people, including 13,000 on the island. The clinic will operate in the heart of one of Quebec's largest urban Indigenous communities.