Modification of Regulations Asked by Community Towards Unhoused Individuals

Montreal's city council met to study the modifications that were proposed for bylaw P-17-055-1. This bylaw focuses on creating, up keeping and improving parks, playgrounds and conserving natural spaces in the City of Montreal.

This bylaw was last amended in a council meeting on April 25, 2022, now citizens are able to hear the modifications and provide thoughts and critique at this online public consultation.

Points addressed at this meeting included a focus on preserving of green spaces, improving parks and playgrounds, protecting biodiversity and replacing the definition of buildings fitting into social and community housing.

Questions from the public included whether spaces will be dedicated to the unhoused, considering the number of homeless people has doubled during the pandemic – from 2 thousand to 4 thousand, as there is an ongoing crisis. The citizen, Jean Duval, said he has been unhoused for the last 6 months and lives in Verdun. He said homeless Montrealers need better spaces the most, citing homeless populations in Cabot Square and how the homeless have been kicked out of a park in Lachine. He expressed frustration, mentioning that part of Montreal's budget could be allocated towards assisting the homeless through public hygiene centres and more housing for the homeless.

Councillors stated that dealing with homelessness is an issue for the provincial government and they must approve municipal funding towards homelessness.

Duval said that he's tired of waiting for city action towards homeless Montrealers.

Another concerned citizen was asked about having parks dedicated to protests, citing how this is done in other cities. They said not having such parks is a direct way to silence and police protesters, mentioning circumstances where police have prosecuted individuals found protesting, when the protester was doing so in a space not dedicated for protests.

The council said this meeting was not for discussing this issue. The citizen pressed on and was told to contact another city representative.