A duo of independent city councillors from Montreal have officially presented a motion aimed at compelling the city to declare a state of emergency on homelessness during the forthcoming week, a step seen as crucial in addressing the escalating crisis.
This motion emphasizes the urgent need for the city to implement a series of proactive measures, which include requisitioning private accommodation spaces to provide shelter for the unhoused before the harsh winter sets in, as well as allocating significantly more resources to local shelters that are currently stretched thin.
Among the councillors backing this vital motion, Craig Sauvé has voiced strong concerns, indicating that Montreal must take decisive action to protect the lives of its ever-growing homeless population, particularly as current shelters scramble to accommodate those in dire need.
“If the state of emergency is declared by the City of Montreal, then a coordination committee, reminiscent of the one established during the COVID crisis, would be created to start working out the specifics of this initiative,” Sauvé said. He emphasized that timely coordination would involve various stakeholders and that starting early could potentially save numerous lives.
Community organization Resilience Montreal believes that declaring a state of emergency could significantly aid homeless shelters in providing necessary shelter, thereby preventing tragic deaths from exposure to the frigid temperatures.
“There’s a definite increase in the death rate among the homeless population in the last few years,” stated David Chapman, Executive Director of Resilience Montreal. “One concerning issue in Quebec is our lack of tracking the annual deaths of unhoused individuals.”
“In other cities, such as Toronto and Calgary, they maintain an annual count of unhoused deaths. This is a practice that should be adopted here in Montreal as well,” Chapman added, advocating for more comprehensive measures to address this growing issue.
“I know there are overdoses and all, but we don’t want people freezing to death, right? We already witnessed the tragic case of Rafael Andre, which is a stark reminder that we must do much better,” lamented Nakuset, Executive Director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.
A spokesperson for the City of Montreal has articulated that other initiatives, such as the construction of additional modular housing units, may be more effective in tackling the homeless issue than declaring a state of emergency.
If Montreal were to support the motion, it would join a growing list of Canadian cities, including Toronto, Edmonton, and Hamilton, that have declared a state of emergency regarding homelessness in recent years.
The STM recently closed the Cabot Square entrance to Atwater metro, citing the overwhelming number of individuals experiencing homelessness at that location as the driving factor behind this decision.
“So if they’re not going to be in the metros at all, whether it be that particular spot at Atwater Metro or any other metro, where are they going to go? The removal of seating in places like Peel gives the impression that it’s an effective deterrent, but it fails to address the fundamental question: where will they go?” Nakuset challenged. “This approach doesn’t solve the issue at hand; it merely displaces the problem.”
“When we start to close public facilities that provide essential services to the population, simply because we lack a plan for those seeking refuge in the metro system, it becomes evident that we have crossed an intolerable threshold in what we consider a civilized society,” asserted Serge Sasseville, City Councillor of Ville-Marie Borough.
The critical motion is scheduled for a vote on Monday, November 18.
“Research indicates that for every dollar invested in social or supportive housing, we save four to five dollars in future support services. This represents a smart financial investment that benefits the entire community,” Sauvé elaborated.
“If adequate and accessible places are unavailable to shelter people, there will unquestionably be dire consequences, including an alarming rise in the mortality rate of the homeless population,” Chapman warned.
How does the proposed coordination committee aim to address the challenges faced by the homeless population in the city?
**Interview with Craig Sauvé, Montreal City Councillor**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Councillor Sauvé. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the motion concerning the state of emergency on homelessness in Montreal. Can you start by outlining the main objectives of this motion?
**Craig Sauvé:** Thank you for having me. The primary aim of the motion is to declare a state of emergency concerning homelessness in our city. This declaration would prompt the city to take immediate and urgent action to address the escalating crisis. We need to requisition private accommodation spaces to provide shelter to those who are unhoused and allocate more resources to local shelters, which are currently overwhelmed.
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned creating a coordination committee if the state of emergency is declared. What role do you envision for this committee?
**Craig Sauvé:** The coordination committee would function similarly to those established during the COVID-19 pandemic. It would bring together various stakeholders, including city officials, shelter operators, and community organizations, to effectively strategize and implement solutions. The goal is to ensure a rapid response that can save lives as winter approaches.
**Editor:** David Chapman from Resilience Montreal has highlighted the alarming increase in the death rate among the homeless in recent years. What are your thoughts on this assertion?
**Craig Sauvé:** David’s concerns are valid. We are witnessing a dire situation. The tragic death rates among the homeless population should compel us to act swiftly. By declaring a state of emergency, we could facilitate more comprehensive support systems and prevent these tragic outcomes, particularly during the extreme cold of winter.
**Editor:** How does the city’s response, particularly the suggestion of modular housing units instead of a state of emergency, fit into this crisis?
**Craig Sauvé:** While modular housing is certainly a part of a long-term solution to homelessness, we also need immediate actions. A state of emergency allows us to respond to urgent needs without getting mired in the lengthy processes that accompany construction projects. The situation is critical; we need both immediate relief and sustainable solutions.
**Editor:** What do you hope the outcome of this motion will be?
**Craig Sauvé:** Ultimately, I hope that this motion will lead to decisive actions that protect lives. We need to prioritize our most vulnerable populations, and by taking swift action, we can potentially save lives this winter. I urge both city officials and the public to support this initiative as it could make a significant difference.
**Editor:** Thank you, Councillor Sauvé. We appreciate your insight on this pressing issue.
**Craig Sauvé:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss it. It’s a matter of urgency, and I hope we can rally the community to support these vital changes.
