Cirque du Soleil cuts back its involvement with the Saint-Michel community

When Cirque du Soleil set up its home base in Saint-Michel 20 years ago, one of its stated missions was to support the low-income neighbourhood. It wrote cheques to community groups. It lent staff for community events. It participated in neighbourhood meetings to stay abreast of ongoing projects.

No more, community members say. Since it was acquired by U.S. and Chinese investment funds last year, the circus's local involvement has reduced to a dribble.

I hope that Cirquewill understand that its role is of paramount importance for the future of the neighborhood.- FrantzBenjamin, city councillor

"I stopped making requests for donations. It's pointless," lamented Ambeault Simon, general manager of the Carrefour populaire, a community centre that works with adults inSaint-Michel. For about a year, he said,the centre's financial pleas to the Cirque have been systematically denied. Before that, he received regular donations that made all the difference.

"Three years ago, the Cirque helped us to buy a van," Simon said.

Last fall, the Cirque du Soleil did not participate in an economic development forum with other companies in Saint-Michel. In recent months, the company founded by Guy Lalibert has no longer takenpart in local round tables.

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The Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough was informed recently that, starting in2017, Cirque du Soleil will stop funding the Parcours Scne program, which encourages young artists in the neighbourhood.

"It is very regrettable and worrisome," said city councillor Frantz Benjamin. "This is not the time to overlook the neighbourhood.

"I hope that Cirque du Soleil will understand that its role is of paramount importance for the future of the neighborhood."

The president of Vivre Saint-Michel en Sant, a group that connects community organizations with citizens and businesses, speaks of Cirque du Soleil in the past tense.

"It was an important partner," said Marjorie Villefranche, who also heads the Maison d'Haiti. "All the people with whom we had contacts are gone."

The last two Cirque representatives wholiaised with community groups have beenlaid off. According to Radio-Canada sources, the "citizenship team," which is responsible for the company's social activities, now has a dozen employees.

One year ago, the team had 40 people.

The Cirque laid off several hundred employees in recent years in Montreal and around the world. Reportedly, the new owners have a strict policy of profitability.

Cirque says it's targeting initiatives that work

The company denies having reduced its presence in the community, but did not back up this claim with numbers.

"I won't go into the numbers, because I don't have to go into the numbers, but I can confirm that the Cirque has an enviable generosity," said Agathe Alie, senior director of community relations at the Cirque du Soleil.

However, she recognizes that the company has changed its ways. "Have we withdrawn from some things? Yes, most likely."

She explained that the Cirque distributes fewer cheques all around and tries to target what works. "There are points of interest established," Alie said.

"Maybe we are less present in some areasbut, nonetheless, we will be present elsewhere," she added. For example, the Cirque supports Magasins-Partage, which provides meals and school supplies to more than 700 families in Saint-Michel.

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Saint-Michel: one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada

• 40% of the adult population does not have a high school diploma

• Nearly half of children live below the poverty line

• Unemployment rate: 14%

• Half of the residents areimmigrants

• Twice as many families as the Montreal average