The City of Montreal is seeking the Quebec Court of Appeal’s intervention in a dispute over a homeless encampment located beneath the Van Horne overpass.
The city is requesting the appeal court to reverse a Superior Court decision that has temporarily halted the removal of the encampment in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.
This disagreement revolves around approximately 10 individuals who have been residing in tents near a skatepark and basketball court for nearly a year. The borough initiated the removal process in May, citing restricted access to the recreational area due to the encampment.
In a conflicting stance, the Clinique juridique itinérante, an organization advocating for the homeless, contested the eviction in court. A judge subsequently instructed the city to maintain the encampment until a thorough examination of the case can be conducted.
Montreal underscores the broader significance of this case as it serves as an initial trial of the city’s new approach to managing homeless encampments. Launched earlier in the year, the policy prioritizes exploring alternatives before dismantling a site and includes provisions for designated temporary staying areas.
Despite the city’s efforts to suggest alternative locations for the campers, these proposals were rejected during the legal proceedings. Reasons ranged from noise concerns to the inability to offer a sustainable long-term solution.
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has recognized the anticipated legal and operational hurdles accompanying the new policy. Montreal aims for the Court of Appeal to clarify the city’s mandate in implementing this policy.
As the legal dispute prolongs, the encampment remains untouched.
