Montreal’s Metro struggles to cope with growing homelessness crisis
As the sun began to set and the evening cold settled in, Lindy Trapper and three of his friends found themselves at Villa-Maria Metro in Montreal’s west end. They spread a blanket on a platform overlooking the tracks, seeking a temporary refuge from the biting cold.
However, their respite was short-lived as two intervention workers approached them and asked them to leave. Reluctantly, they were escorted to the subway entrance, but with no clear alternatives in sight, they decided to stay inside the Metro.
Trapper, a Cree man from Mistissini, Que., shared that he often spends the night in a storefront entrance once the Metro closes, seeking shelter from the harsh winter winds. In the morning, he returns to the Metro, repeating the cycle of seeking warmth and safety.
This scene is not unique to Villa-Maria Metro, as similar situations are unfolding across the subway system. People without a place to stay seek refuge from the cold and snow underground, leading to a surge in reports of disturbances, drug usage, and safety concerns among riders, especially since the onset of the pandemic.
The chair of Société de transport de Montréal (STM), Éric Caldwell, expressed alarm over the growing issues in the Metro during a recent round of consultations on homelessness. He highlighted that the Metro has become a makeshift shelter for the most vulnerable individuals who have fallen through the cracks of the social safety net, leading to a decline in the sense of security among public transit users.
The situation has become untenable, with nearly half of riders reporting feeling unsafe in a January survey. Overdoses in the Metro have more than doubled, from 22 in 2023 to 47 in 2024, with 12 occurring in the first month of January alone.
Jocelyn Latulippe, the STM’s director of security, acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a respectful environment in the face of escalating issues between different groups of clients, including drug users and homeless individuals. Despite efforts to remove over 12,000 people from the Metro at night and find them shelter, space constraints often leave individuals with nowhere to go.
The rise in homelessness in Montreal, exacerbated by the pandemic, has put a strain on shelters, leading to more encampments and increased presence of people seeking refuge in the Metro. Advocates stress the importance of addressing the root causes of homelessness and investing in long-term solutions like social and community housing.
During the ongoing consultations on homelessness, advocates like Nicholas Harvest emphasized the need for government intervention and criticized the Coalition Avenir Québec government for failing to recognize the extent of the crisis. Québec Solidaire MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard called out the government for refusing to open emergency shelters and urged them to take responsibility for addressing the issue.
Despite the challenges, there is hope on the horizon. The city of Montreal will receive over $23 million from a federal deal to tackle homelessness over the next two years. James Hughes, head of the Old Brewery Mission, remains optimistic and reassures Montrealers that additional resources and projects are in the works to support those in need.
As Montreal grapples with the growing homelessness crisis and its impact on public spaces like the Metro, it is essential for stakeholders to work together to find sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being and safety of all individuals in the community. Let’s remain patient and supportive as we navigate these challenges together.
