Prevention is definitely important. For example, young people leaving youth centres find themselves without support and end up on the streets. That isn't what we want. Homelessness isn't their life journey. That means it's important to intervene quickly with that type of client. We don't want these young people to experience homelessness. Like all members of this committee, we want to end homelessness. This is an important way to prioritize these young people.
These days, a new phenomenon is emerging in the major shelters, which Ms. Clarkson is no doubt seeing in Calgary. People who work, who have jobs, are ending up in the centres. It makes no sense. It's important to work with that type of client. In terms of serious cases, it's more complex when the time comes to intervene. However, these cases are less complex: Since these people have fewer experiences with homelessness, the mountain to climb is lower. It's important to reach young people aged 18 to 25 and workers.
However, when it comes to intervening in complex cases, relationships have to be built. When someone in their family—be it a brother, sister or uncle—has a substance abuse and addiction problem, it takes time to develop a trusting relationship with them; there's no magic wand. The profile of people experiencing homelessness differs across Canada: there are young people, seniors and people who are working. Their journeys are completely different, and that's why each case has to be addressed on its own merits. There's also the case of indigenous people. If people from Manitoba were here beside me, they could tell us about the indigenous people who live in Winnipeg. These are complex situations.
When it comes to Quebec, what it does well is that it makes a collective effort within the ecosystems. There are a number of ecosystems in Quebec, some 15 of them. Whether it's in Trois-Rivières, Longueuil, Montreal or Laval, each ecosystem approaches the problem a bit differently. It makes a difference when communities work together, when communities, cities, police, community groups and the municipal level work together. Working in partnership makes a huge difference. There isn't just one solution; there are several.