2023-09-15 04:00:00
A Montrealer who worked in public relations for decades for Bombardier experienced a “shock” when he found himself on the street a few years ago. months following being evicted from his home.
“I had a good life, with a good job,” breathes Ronald Paquet, 70 years old.
Dressed in a simple white shirt, the latter was standing in front of the Old Brewery Mission on Clark Street in downtown Montreal when The newspaper offered to tell his story.
Five months ago, Mr. Paquet was evicted from his home. “I was no longer able to pay my rent,” he summarizes.
According to the Quebec portrait of homelessness for 2022 unveiled yesterday, eviction from housing is the cause most often mentioned (23%) by homeless people to explain their situation.
Ronald Paquet had “a good job”, but that did not prevent him from finding himself homeless. Photo Olivier Faucher
From Bombardier to the streets
“It was a shock. This is the first time I’ve been in a situation like this. I was embarrassed,” continues Mr. Paquet.
However, Mr. Paquet was not always in poverty, far from it. “I did public relations at Bombardier. I was part-time, on contract.” He adds that “the cost of living” hasn’t helped him either.
His LinkedIn profile, traced by The newspapermentions that he in fact worked for 22 years, until 2008, for the Quebec aeronautics flagship, among other things to “write press releases” and analyze the morning news.
Ronald Paquet is now counting on the Old Brewery Mission while waiting to find housing.
“I hope to have cheaper accommodation, like public housing or something like that. I just took steps this week. »
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take. They said it might take a year. It’s better than nothing,” he continues.
Despite this extremely difficult period for him, Mr. Paquet managed to remain optimistic.
“My morale is good. We must pray to the Good Lord and live each day. »
1694766069
#shock #Bombardier #consultant #street #evicted #accommodation
