With Montreal experiencing another punishing heat cycle and temperatures expected to feel like 40 degrees, concerns grow for the homeless population.
Members of the Old Brewery mission are calling on the city and on Montrealers to increase their support and keep the unhoused safe.
“Its a hard life generally, the heat like the snow like the rain actually makes life really difficult,” said Old Brewery Mission President & CEO James Hughes.
“The last two weeks for people living outside, people who are rough sleeping is what we call it, it’s been particularly tough,” he said.
A heat warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada was in effect Monday — with a high of 34 degrees, but temperatures climbing to what felt like 40 degrees with the humidex. This comes just a few days after extreme heat set a new record Sunday, when the mercury climbed to 34.4 degrees beating the previous record of 32.8 degrees set back in 1944.
“The homeless community is itself trying to help each other, but Montrealers can help as well,” said Hughes. “Keep your eyes open as well. If someone is in a doorway or someone is sleeping on the road in the sun, that’s a really dangerous place to be.”
Old Brewery Mission resident Elton Ashby, who’s travelled to Canada from the Caribbean, says he’s thankfully he has access to A/C though notes many across Montreal struggle with access.
“The heat I was never comfortable with it, that’s why I came to this country, for the cold,” he said with a laugh.
“If you don’t have to be out there in the heat wait until you go early in the morning or out in the evening you dont have to be out,” Ashby advised. “You don’t need to be in the heat.”
Hughes says the city needs to implement encampment patrol teams to do wellness checks and offer basic humanitarian services across the city, including the homeless encampment set up along Notre-Dame Street , which will be able to remain in place until at least Aug. 27.
He notes that tent encampments have risen in the last few weeks.
“This has been an unusually long heat streak for Montreal,” said Hughes. “Very little rain. I mean, that sounds wonderful for most people, for going to the festivals and being outside. For people who are living in homelessness, it’s a little trickier to find a place that’s safe, that’s out of the sun, where you can be hydrated.”
“Create the relationships, make sure protection is provided and work with these people on plans to get out,” said Hughes. “These encampments are not long term solutions to homelessness, it’s not housing. It’s dangerous, especially in the high heat like now and we’ve got to do better as a city to take care of these people.”
In an email statement to CityNews, the City of Montreal confirmed that the Special Response Plan has been activated given the current temperature criteria.
“Boroughs and reconstituted cities are encouraged to extend the opening hours of air-conditioned public places and their aquatic facilities. Montreal, through community organizations, will distribute bottled water to people experiencing homelessness. An automated call center is being deployed in areas of the agglomeration where more vulnerable populations have been previously identified; The SPVM and the Montreal Fire Department (SIM) are conducting door-to-door outreach to vulnerable populations. Members of the Mobile Mediation and Social Intervention Team (ÉMMIS) are also on hand to guide homeless people to water sources and ensure they are not exposed to possible heatstroke.
In general, Montreal offers residents several places to cool off during the summer in its neighborhoods, such as aquatic facilities (swimming pools, splash pads, etc.) and air-conditioned establishments (libraries, recreation centers, etc.). For information on the opening and supervision of municipal facilities, residents are encouraged to contact their borough, the facility in question, or consult the website of the borough in which they reside to plan their travel plans. Finally, information on services offered to residents and advice to follow during heat waves are also available on the City’s website.”
Montrealers, Quebecers, and tourists are advised to drink water throughout the day and if someone is seen on the street struggling, such as heat stroke, please contact Info Santé at 811.
“The tone is for sure is outreach and help each other, and keep your eyes open for people who may be in distress,” said Hughes.
“You’re smart enough you know how to take care of yourself,” said Ashby. ” [If] you don’t then well you end up in problems, but if you’re smart enough you take care of yourself.”