St-Henri residents calling for immediate relocation of supervised consumption site

More than 1,800 St-Henri residents have signed a petition calling on all levels of government to relocate La Maison Benoit Labre.

More than 1,800 St-Henri residents have signed a petition calling on all levels of government to intervene in a situation they say has worsened since La Maison Benoit Labre opened the city’s first supervised consumption site two years ago.

Michael MacKenzie, a father who spearheaded the petition, said children are being exposed to violence, sexual acts, and drug use, and that residents have avoided using the park next door to the centre because they no longer feel safe.

“People have a right to mental health care. People have a right to substance use treatment,” he said. “But people don’t have a right to harm, and compassionate communities can set boundaries about behaviour that harms other people.”

Renaud Muller said it’s not just children who are at risk. He said his neighbour, a senior, was hit in the face by a man when she refused to give him a cigarette.

“It’s out of control,” he said. “I think it poses a danger to users of the centre and the community.”

When the consumption site was opened in 2024, a cohabitation committee was formed to ensure good relations and communication with concerned residents. Sarah El Queisi, a parent who sat on the committee, said initially they were able to bring their concerns, but since the committee has changed hands, communication with La Maison Benoit Labre has waned.

“We need a plan in the short-term to help make our neighbourhood safe again and we need medium- and long-term plans to help people get the services that they need so that no one is dealing with these issues,” she said.

Under Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant, a law was passed to keep safe consumption sites at least 150 metres away from schools and daycares. Under that law, Maison Benoit Labre must move its site, but it says it needs more time and funding to do so.

The petition, addressed to all levels of government, is calling the City of Montreal to relaunch public security in the area, increase police patrols, and prioritize enforcement of laws. It also calls for Minister Lionel Carmant to invoke powers granted to him under Law 103 to immediately relocate the site.

“Mr. Carmant has it in his authority today to revoke that transition period and that’s what we’re asking him to do,” said MacKenzie.

Neither Minister Carmant’s office nor La Maison Benoit Labre responded to CTV News’ interview requests. But Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez-Ferrada said the issue is on her radar.

“I know that the Government of Quebec has asked them to move the consumption site to a better location and that’s what they’re working on,” she said. “But I have to be clear, having a space where people can go and sleep, it’s necessary.”

Residents say they, too, support the transitional housing project; they just want to see more safeguards in place.

“We’ve been put into a forced choice between meeting people’s needs for health and meeting people’s needs for safety. And that’s a false choice. Those shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.”