OCPM launches public consultation on homelessness and social cohabitation in Montreal

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) launched a commission to examine the integration of homelessness and social cohabitation in Montreal on Wednesday.

In Montreal, visible homelessness has increased by 33 per cent between 2018 and 2022.

The commission says they’re organizing meetings with people experiencing homelessness and others to identify all the issues and to outline its mandate.

“I am proud that such an important mandate has been entrusted to the OCPM. This is a societal issue that concerns us all – that concerns me as a human being – and I believe that consulting the citizens of Montreal on this crucial issue is necessary,” said OCPM President Philippe Bourke.

According to a press release, the City of Montreal entrusted the OCPM with this mandate after a meeting on July 8, to consult with the population about “the conditions for success in order to ensure social cohabitation and harmonious integration of resources for people experiencing homelessness in the neighborhoods of the metropolis.”

Since the pandemic, many people have dealt with evictions, inflation and job losses which has led to the homelessness of many individuals.

“Homelessness is a societal issue that affects everyone and requires the coordinated commitment of many stakeholders. This public consultation gives us the opportunity to develop collective solutions,” says Bourke.

Citizens are encouraged to attend public meetings at the beginning of December and January. For more information, they can check the OCPM website, follow their social media and subscribe to the newsletter.

On Jan. 21, 2025, a Q&A session will take place at the St-Pierre Centre, where participants will be able to hear from City representatives, ask questions and offer their opinions.

The hearing sessions will begin on Feb. 17, 2025, and the commission’s report will be made public in June 2025.

“Participants will be invited to submit their opinion in writing, or by audio or video recording,” reads a press release. “Any opinion, regardless of size or duration, will be accepted. It will also be possible to speak orally to the commissioners in the room or remotely, by telephone or videoconference.”

A general information document is also available on the OCPM website.

The OCPM was created in September 2002 as independent organization that carious out public consultation mandates assigned by the city council or the executive committee of the City of Montreal.