Montreal Mall’s ‘Baby Shark’ Tactic Draws Criticism for Displacing Homelessness
A mall in downtown Montreal faces criticism for playing the children’s song “Baby Shark” to discourage homeless people from loitering in its stairwells. The mall, Complexe Desjardins, has used this tactic for a year due to security concerns related to homelessness. A spokesperson, Jean-Benoit Turcotti, stated that they have seen improvements since implementing this strategy.
However, advocates for homeless individuals call this approach “cruel and unusual.” Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, emphasized that playing children’s music does not address the root causes of homelessness. He argued that merely moving people along does not solve the issue. Watts stated, “You don’t solve a problem by displacing a problem.”
Watts acknowledged that many people worry about the visibility of homelessness. Still, he believes that making vulnerable individuals even more uncomfortable is not the solution. Turcotti, in defense of the mall, mentioned that they have hired two social workers to communicate with homeless people and provide support rather than coercion.
Interview with Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall mission
Interview with Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Sam.We’d like to discuss the recent actions taken by Complexe Desjardins in downtown Montreal, specifically their choice to play the children’s song “Baby Shark” in an effort to discourage homeless people from loitering in their stairwells. What are your initial thoughts on this strategy?
Sam Watts: Thank you for having me. I find this approach deeply troubling. Using children’s music to push people out of public spaces is not onyl ineffective but also inhumane. It’s a temporary fix that doesn’t tackle the underlying issues of homelessness. We have to remember that these are vulnerable individuals who deserve dignity and compassion.
Interviewer: Complexe Desjardins claims to have seen improvements since implementing this strategy. What do you think of that argument?
Sam Watts: Improvements in terms of foot traffic or aesthetics don’t translate to actual progress in addressing homelessness. Playing music to displace individuals rather than supporting them only moves the issue elsewhere. It reflects a lack of understanding of the complexities involved in homelessness.As I always say, “You don’t solve a problem by displacing a problem.”
Interviewer: The mall’s spokesperson mentioned that they have hired two social workers to communicate with homeless individuals and provide support. How important do you think this is?
Sam Watts: Hiring social workers is an essential step, but it must be part of a larger, more holistic approach to support the homeless community. Their presence shouldn’t be mitigated by the stress of annoying noises. Social workers can help connect individuals with necessary resources, but without addressing the systemic issues—lack of affordable housing, mental health services, and funding for shelters—we’re not making any real changes.
Interviewer: David Chapman from Resilience Montreal has also criticized the mall’s actions, calling it inhumane. Do you believe that this strategy contributes to a broader societal issue regarding how we treat the homeless?
Sam Watts: Absolutely. This situation illustrates a growing trend where society is uncomfortable with the visibility of homelessness and seeks to push it out of sight rather than address it. The increase in homeless individuals in downtown areas is linked to a decade-long decline in funding for shelters and support services.When people are merely pushed away, it ignores the collective responsibility we share to help those in need.
Interviewer: What would you suggest as a more humane and effective approach for dealing with homelessness in urban spaces?
Sam Watts: We need to foster inclusive urban policies that prioritize social services and affordable housing. Initiatives should be focused on integrating homeless individuals back into the community with proper support systems in place, rather than treating them as nuisances. We should aim for collaborative efforts among various community stakeholders—government, nonprofits, and businesses—to create enduring solutions.
Interviewer: Thank you,sam,for sharing your insights on this critical issue.
Sam Watts: Thank you for shedding light on such an important conversation. Only through understanding and addressing these root causes can we hope to make meaningful changes for those experiencing homelessness.
David Chapman, executive director of Resilience Montreal, also criticized the mall’s actions. He expressed that irritating vulnerable people until they leave is inhumane. He noted that the increase in homeless individuals downtown reflects a broader issue; funding for shelters has decreased over the past decade.
Overall, the actions of Complexe Desjardins have sparked debate about how to effectively and humanely address homelessness in the city.