Residents in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough file class action lawsuit over homelessness concerns

A group of residents from Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough is taking legal action against several government bodies, alleging a lack of effective solutions for addressing the unhoused population in their neighbourhoods.

The residents have launched a class action lawsuit — pending court approval — seeking damages of $25,000 per person affected by what they describe as ongoing “cohabitation issues” in the Milton-Parc and Devonshire areas, near Hôtel-Dieu, which operates a shelter.

“We’re not calling for the closure of the Hôtel-Dieu shelter,” said Éric Faille, a resident of the Devonshire neighbourhood, near St-Urbain and Pine Ave. “What we’re calling for is that it properly care for people. That’s a big difference. We’re not against homelessness — we’re for real solutions that help people out of their situation.”

Residents claim they’re facing multiple issues, such as break-ins, which have forced them to reinforce security around their homes.

“This is not just a Not In My Backyard reaction,” said Gérard Samet, the lawyer representing the residents. “A class action like this also requires that we demonstrate a breach or abuse of neighbourly relations.”

On Wednesday, Fo Niemi of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) brought residents together.

CRARR has also supported residents in Chinatown over the past two years as they’ve voiced similar concerns around homelessness and community safety.

“Part of the class action is about demanding accountability and defending their way of life,” said Niemi. “Some people in Chinatown are saying, maybe it’s time we do the same. This could expand to other parts of Montreal. Class actions may be the only way left to make politicians and public officials take these residents seriously.”

Anthony Bovenzi, a Chinatown resident, said the problem goes beyond homelessness: “It’s not just the homeless anymore. Now you’ve got drug dealers moving into Chinatown and I’m afraid.”

The Old Brewery Mission and Welcome Hall Mission are also named in the class action. A hearing is scheduled for December.

Sam Watts, CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission, declined to speak directly about the case, as it’s before the courts. However, he emphasized the broader context.

“We don’t want insecure neighborhoods or unsafe public spaces,” said Watts. “But if we want to solve homelessness, we have to address its root causes — poverty, affordability, and more. Trying to fix this in other ways isn’t going to help.”

After a pilot project last year, the City of Montreal has now hired private security guards to patrol parts of the Ville-Marie, Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, and Sud-Ouest boroughs this summer.

“I haven’t seen a difference,” said Carman Tang, a Chinatown resident. “I’ve called the police multiple times. They show up, patrol, maybe look around, but they don’t really do much.”

A spokesperson for the regional health authority (CIUSSS Centre-Sud) declined to comment on the legal case, but noted they continue to intervene in partnership with various stakeholders.

The City of Montreal did not respond in time for publication.

“So when do we say ‘Enough is enough’?” asked Tang. “What does it take for the police to act? Instead of waiting for something terrible to happen and then saying, ‘We didn’t see it coming?’ We’re just asking for prevention.”