Quebec’s Coalition Avenir Québec leader Christine Fréchette said she will meet with Montreal mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada after a one‑year‑old child was discovered living in a city homeless encampment. The meeting follows a public outcry over the child’s presence in the camp and comes with the announcement of a $250 million emergency fund aimed at addressing homelessness across the province.
Fréchette’s pledge of the emergency fund was presented as a direct response to the incident, which has heightened scrutiny of Montreal’s homeless shelters and encampments. The funding is intended to support immediate relief measures and longer‑term solutions for those experiencing homelessness, though specific allocations were not detailed at the time of the announcement.
Mayor Ferrada, who leads the city’s response to the growing homelessness crisis, is set to discuss the province’s new financial commitment with Fréchette. The dialogue is expected to cover how the $250 million will be coordinated with municipal resources and programs to ensure rapid assistance for vulnerable populations, including families with children.
The discovery of the infant has intensified public and political pressure as the province approaches its upcoming election campaign. Critics have called for more comprehensive strategies to prevent similar situations, while officials emphasize the urgency of deploying the newly announced funds.
Both leaders indicated that the meeting will focus on immediate actions to protect at‑risk individuals and on establishing a framework for longer‑term housing stability. The province’s emergency fund marks a significant financial commitment in a context where homelessness has become a central issue in the political discourse ahead of the election.
The situation remains under close observation as city and provincial authorities work to translate the pledged resources into concrete measures for those living on the streets of Montreal.