Social housing protesters to occupy Montreal lot for several nights

Dozens of protesters intend to spend several nightson a lot near the Lachine Canal to launch a week ofprotests for better social housing across Quebec.

Social housing group FRAPRU lead protesters from Lionel-Groulx Metro station to afederally-owned propertyat the foot of the old Canada Malting Company plant.

The group said the owner's initial plans to turn thesilos into condos werethwarted after social and community groups put pressure on the Southwest borough to stop it.

Sunday's campoutmarks the first of many occupations planned for the coming days. Theyare meant to highlight several places that could be used for social housing but currently remain vacant.

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FRAPRU wants the federal government to commit at least $2 billiona year to social housing programs across the country, estimatingaquarter of that would be needed for Quebec.

The group also wants the Quebec government to put more money intosocial housing.

Ideally, it wants the two governments to kick in enough cash togetherto have 50,000social housing units up and running in Quebec within the next five years.

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Montreal police closely followed the marchbut left soon after protesters set up camp.