Montreal's city council has voted down a motion brought by two&nbsp;independent city councillors seeking to have a state of emergency declared over the city's homelessness situation.

Mayor Valérie Plante says councillors agree that the high number of unhoused people is an urgent concern but declaring a state of emergency would not help.

The motion submitted by council members Craig Sauvé and Serge Sasseville was defeated Monday night in a 32-26 vote.

Earlier this month, Plante called on the provincial and federal governments to reach a deal to free up what she said is $100 million promised to help provide shelter and other support to the province's homeless population.

As cold weather arrives, Quebec hands out eviction notices at Notre-Dame Street encampment

The Quebec government has given eviction notices to some of the dozens of unhoused people living in tents along Montreal's Notre-Dame Street. This comes as city councillors debate declaring a state of emergency over homelessness.

‘It’s painful to get kicked out’: Transport Ministry evicts homeless people from Montreal encampment

This Montrealer who lives in a tent on Notre-Dame Street says this eviction notice is a "waste of time" because he says he and others will build another encampment elsewhere. CBC has agreed to withhold his name because of his concerns for his safety and privacy. 

Person living in a tent on Notre-Dame St

Transports Québec says it’s concerned about fire hazards and unsanitary conditions. It says it will dismantle some of the tents on Notre-Dame Street East if people don’t leave by the deadline.


Quebec urged to reach deal with Ottawa to help fight homelessness

The mayor of Montreal and the city's homeless shelters are calling on the Quebec government to make a deal with Ottawa for more money to help people living in encampments in the city.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante toured new housing at Chez Doris, a Montreal women's shelter, on Friday. 11/8/2024

Valérie Plante

Quebec stands to receive $50 million but still hasn’t agreed to a deal. Community groups and municipal leaders are sounding the alarm and warning many could be left out in the cold.

Montreal mayor and homeless advocates urge Quebec to sign funding deal with Ottawa

A state of emergency would have given council more powers, including allowing the city to requisition privately owned accommodation for shelter spaces, but the governing Projet Montréal said it would be largely symbolic.

Robert Beaudry, a Projet Montréal councillor representing a downtown district, said adopting a state of emergency would put more pressure on the city to manage new resources without any additional staffing or money.

He says everyone needs to do their part in dealing with homelessness — including the province and Ottawa.

A growing number of cities across Canada have declared states of emergency in recent years over homelessness, including Edmonton, Toronto and Hamilton.

Meanwhile, Quebec's Transport Ministry has given a short reprieve to some people who live in a homeless encampment along Montreal's Notre-Dame Street East.

 last week were told to leave by&nbsp;Thursday.

However, the ministry has moved the date to Dec. 1.&nbsp;One group involved in efforts to prevent the eviction says the decision is timed to coincide with the opening of warming sites for the winter.

A homeless encampment in Montreal's Rosemont borough being dismantled in July.   City councillors voted down a motion to declare a state of emergency on homelessness.

Montreal councillors vote down motion to declare state of emergency on homelessness

Eviction notice extended

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