Montreal residents suing city, health authority over safety related to homelessness

Chinatown residents say the City of Montreal is not doing enough to deal with the homeless population.

Two groups are taking Montreal health and municipal organizations to court over safety concerns related to unhoused populations in their neighbourhoods.

The groups are seeking a Quebec Superior Court authorization for a class action suit against public officials who set up services in the Milton Parc and Devonshire (near the old Hotel-Dieu Hospital) neighbourhoods.

The suits are against Santé Québec, the Montreal Central South regional health authority (CIUSSS), the City of Montreal and homeless organizations.

They are demanding $25,000 per person for material damages, including vandalism, personal injuries and “other consequences of behaviours of the unhoused with addiction and/or mental health problems.”

The claimants say the suits are not directed at unhoused people, but at public officials who decide to set up services in their neighbourhoods without considering residents and merchants, a news release from the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) reads.

“We are residents, voters, owners, taxpayers and people who have for years contributed to the vitality of our neighbourhoods,” said Devonshire resident Éric Faille. “Yet suddenly, elected officials and bureaucrats from elsewhere decide to parachute homelessness resources into our community without consultation, information or consideration for our health and safety. That is simply unacceptable.”

Groups in Montreal’s historic Chinatown neighbourhood joined them at a news conference, saying many residents are considering a similar class action.

“Many women like me, as well as seniors, no longer feel safe, free, heard, or respected by outside actors and authorities who seem more interested in helping the unhoused than in supporting residents, business owners, and workers in Chinatown,” said resident Carman Tang. “We need to strengthen public safety, protect our quality of life, and promote economic opportunities in our community.”

CRARR is assisting the residents in their cases.

The accusations need to be proven in court, and future court dates will be scheduled in the coming months.