On September 9, 2026, the Quebec Court of Appeal denied the City of Montreal’s request to lift a ban and clear a homeless encampment located beneath the Van Horne viaduct in the Mile End neighbourhood.
The city had filed for a court order seeking permission to dismantle the tent settlement that had been established under the viaduct. The request aimed to remove the structures and relocate the occupants, citing concerns that had prompted the original ban.
The appellate decision upheld the existing prohibition, meaning the encampment must remain in place pending any further legal action. The court’s ruling indicated that the city had not satisfied the legal criteria required to overturn the ban.
The Van Horne viaduct area has been the site of a temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Municipal officials have previously expressed a desire to address the situation, but the current ruling limits immediate action.
Legal analysts note that the decision reflects the court’s role in reviewing municipal attempts to intervene in encampments, ensuring that procedural requirements are met before any removal can proceed. The city may consider alternative legal avenues or negotiate with occupants, but any further steps must comply with the appellate judgment.
The outcome leaves the Mile End encampment unchanged as of the date of the ruling, and the city’s plan to dismantle the settlement remains on hold.