Two people living in situations of homelessness have been found dead inside separate community warming centres in Montreal, the city’s mayor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, tearfully said on Thursday morning.
“This morning, we received the terrible news that two homeless people, two elderly people, have died,” said a visibly emotional Martinez Ferrada. “The organizations that knew these people for a long time are in mourning this morning.”
The mayor went on to say that she could not give further details on the deaths, adding that it seemed odd to be holding a news conference on the topic of homelessness after the tragic discoveries.
“The announcement we are making today will go on, despite this difficult context,” said Martinez Ferrada, noting that the deaths are a reminder of why she has made solving the issue of homelessness a priority.
@ctvmontreal Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada gets emotional as she reveals two homeless people were recently found dead (VIDEO IN FRENCH).
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The mayor then paused to catch her breath and give a colleague an emotional hug.
“It’s not normal that we’re losing people when we have the means to save them,” Martinez Ferrada emphasized.
“It’s not normal...for organizations to fight every day on the front lines to save lives. It’s not normal that today, we are making an announcement when we’ve just lost two people.”
She then apologized for her tears before pointing out that Montreal’s homeless organizations are at the end of their rope and need help.
“I’m so proud of these organizations, because without them, we’d lose more people. One life is already too many,” she said. “We need this humanitarian crisis to be a national priority.”
‘Sad reality’
One of the men was found at the CAP St-Barnabé refuge in Montreal’s Hochelaga neighbourhood.
A worker, who asked not to be identified, confirmed that the man died on Tuesday and was well known to the staff.
Claude Lacroix, who has been living at the refuge for the past two years, called the deceased a “very nice guy.”
“He looked much younger than his age,” he said. “He was about 70. I was very surprised when he told me his age.”
He points out that deaths at the community centres are not unusual.
“These people, old people, and people who never took care of their health, so they have regular deaths; at least once a month,” he said.
Sam Watts, executive director of the Welcome Hall Mission, agrees that it’s not “entirely unusual” for community organizations to see “people pass away in their sleep while in our buildings.”
“It is a sad reality,” he said. “Many people who experience homelessness are also not receiving optimal health care... I keep asking: why do we accept this as a normal thing? As a society, we need to do better.”
Montreal police (SPVM) and Urgences-Santé have told CTV News that they do not have any information about the deaths.
Ending the crisis
The news comes as Martinez Ferrada’s administration was expected to announce $412,000 in funding for the organization L’Anonyme “to assist homeless individuals living in encampments on Notre-Dame Street and help them get off the streets.”
“It’s probably not enough, I know,” said the mayor. “I know that community organizations are tired and we need to do better and we need to do more, and that’s why we’re here and working with all the community sector to make sure we are not losing anybody else in this city.”
To achieve this, the organization has been asked to form a team dedicated to supporting homeless individuals on Notre-Dame Street, including when it comes to issues of safety and cleanliness.
“This initiative will redirect these individuals to resources that will help them find housing and, in the meantime, ensure greater safety on site,” the announcement stated. “The goal is also to reduce tensions in the neighbourhood by promoting an equitable sharing of public space.”
The support team is set to comprise four full-time staff members expected to serve as liaisons with blue-collar workers responsible for cleaning the vacant lot.
“We hear and understand the residents of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve regarding the Notre-Dame vacant lot,” said Chantal Gagnon, mayor of the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.
“That’s why our teams are already on the ground every day. Deploying the team to the Notre-Dame vacant lot will make a tangible difference in the area. Our goal is clear: to maintain clean, safe and accessible public spaces, while treating people experiencing homelessness with respect and dignity.”
Urgent government response?
Quebec solidaire says it was deeply saddened to hear about the deaths of the two homeless people in Montreal, “and offers its sincerest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.”
The party says it is joining Martinez Ferrada’s plea in urging the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government to immediately increase funding for homelessness.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones, community workers and those who knew these two victims,” said Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, Quebec Solidaire’s spokesperson on homelessness.
“Behind the numbers are human lives... The government can no longer manage this crisis with half-measures that are too small and too late.”
Quebec Solidaire went on to say that the needs of community organizations are “known, documented and have been reiterated for months.”
“We cannot grow accustomed to the unacceptable,” said Cliche-Rivard.
“In 2024, 108 people experiencing homelessness died. Today, two more deaths serve as a brutal reminder that we still lack resources, shelter spaces, support and above all, political will. Quebec, and all levels of government, have a responsibility to act in a manner commensurate with the urgency of the situation.”
