The subway entrances were not impounded despite the storm to allow homeless people to warm up that night. Will homeless services allow everyone to warm up this freezing cold New Year’s Eve?
Posted 5:33pm Updated 7:05pm
Since Friday, Montreal has been confronted with an extraordinary mix of temperatures ranging from freezing rain to snow and squalls. If the metropolis is relatively spared from the power outages that are rocking the province, many homeless people are struggling with particularly difficult conditions on Christmas Eve.
“It’s hard to be sure that there are enough resources for everyone,” said Sam Watts, President and CEO of Welcome Hall Mission. “The ecosystem of care for vulnerable people is fragile [en ce moment]. »
A statement from James Hughes, President and CEO of another Montreal property, the Old Brewery Mission. ” [Les haltes-chaleur], there are few downtown this year, he explains. One of them is our Café Mission. Services across the city are very busy. »
Labor shortages, the housing crisis and the pandemic are major challenges facing the various organizations working on homelessness, stresses Mr. Hughes.
Everyone, including the various levels of government, is doing their best, but I admit we are nervous right now that supply won’t meet demand.
James Hughes, President and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission
Another blow to vulnerable people downtown: On December 24, for the first time in 94 years, the Saint Michael Mission ceased to exist to take in and serve meals to around 200 homeless people. La Presse reported last week that this daycare has had to relocate because its lease was not renewed. The last opening day was Friday.
Last winter, the Saint Michael Mission also received a grant to remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, an offer that has not been renewed.
Subway entrances closed on Saturday night
On Saturday, the temperature in Montreal reached -8 degrees Celsius and -18 degrees Celsius with the wind chill.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) points out that the subway entrances will not be accessible to the homeless during the night from Saturday to Sunday.
Some subway entrances were exceptionally and limited opened last winter, at the request of the authorities during a period of extreme cold and when there was no space left in shelters or rest stops – heat. To date, no such request has been submitted to us.
Philippe Déry, STM Public Relations, late Saturday afternoon
Note that homeless people can use the Montréal subway during its hours of operation. “Our special police officers are always tolerant of homeless people who might find shelter in the Métro during operating hours, especially in winter, as long as they comply with STM regulations,” explains Mr. Déry.
The STM can also issue transit passes to allow vulnerable people to go to emergency shelter after the stations close. If necessary, warm clothing will be distributed.
The Montreal subway is closed between approximately 1:00 am and 5:30 am.
The city of Montreal had not responded to La Presse’s request for information in the middle of the night on Saturday evening.