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Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez-Ferrada is threatening to take legal action against Quebec after a baby was found living with their mother in an encampment on Notre-Dame Street.
The baby, who is just over a year old, was found last Friday in a tent with their mother, according to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). Police officers recovered the child, who was then placed into the care of Quebec youth services (DPJ), while their mother was taken into the care of social services.
According to police, the baby’s life, health and safety are not at risk, and they are currently in the care of a family member.
After saying on Thursday that the case is a sign that the province is not doing enough to address the homelessness crisis in Montreal, Martinez-Ferrada doubled down on her criticism in an interview with Radio-Canada on Friday.
“I believe there are concrete actions the Quebec government can and must take,” Martinez-Ferrada said in French, adding that a lack of provincial funding is limiting her administration’s ability to address homelessness in Montreal.
“If I have to go to court to secure that support, it is an option I am seriously considering right now,” she said.
The people living in encampments along Notre Dame street are on land owned by Quebec, and superior court judges have on several occasions blocked the city’s efforts to dismantle tents there.
Mathieu Morin, director of the community organization Carrefour Familial Hochelaga says it is still extremely rare to find kids on the street, but a baby living in an encampment shows how severe the housing crisis has become.
“We are past saying this is a crisis,” Morin told Radio-Canada.
Politicians respond
Quebec Premier and Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette said the case is heartbreaking, and that it must not happen again.
She said all levels of government need to work together to combat homelessness in Montreal and across the province, adding that she plans to meet with Martinez-Ferrada in the coming days.
Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard echoed Fréchette’s sentiment, saying that elected officials at all levels shoulder responsibility for the homelessness crisis. He also said that officials should focus more on addressing the root causes of the crisis.
Ruba Ghazal, meanwhile, expressed anger at the situation. The Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson said she was shocked at the news, while arguing that more investment and political will is needed to solve homelessness in the province.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also expressed outrage at the situation, saying that it was embarassing for Quebec. He argued for better social safety nets for vulnerable people in the province.
When asked about the situation, Éric Duhaime was more blunt. The Conservative Party of Quebec leader said he was sympathetic to people living in encampments, but he argued that encampments should be dismantled as soon as possible.
All five party leaders have agreed to participate in a forum on homelessness in 2027.
