Coalition Avenir Québec leader Christine Fréchette announced a meeting with Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada on Friday, September 18, 2026, following the discovery of a one-year-old child living in a homeless encampment. The meeting comes as the provincial election campaign intensifies, with the incident drawing heightened attention to homelessness policies across Quebec.
Fréchette also revealed that the provincial government will allocate a $250 million emergency fund to address the situation that prompted the meeting. The fund is intended to support immediate actions related to homelessness, though specific uses have not been detailed publicly. The announcement was made in direct response to the fallout from finding the infant in the encampment, an event that has become a focal point of public and political discourse.
Mayor Martinez Ferrada confirmed her participation in the meeting, emphasizing the need for coordinated action between municipal and provincial authorities. Both officials indicated that the discussion will focus on how the emergency fund can be deployed to improve conditions for people experiencing homelessness and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The discovery of the baby has sparked renewed scrutiny of existing homelessness strategies as the province heads toward the upcoming election. Critics have called for more comprehensive solutions, while the provincial government positions the emergency fund as a rapid response measure. The meeting between Fréchette and Martinez Ferrada is expected to set the tone for collaborative efforts moving forward.
As the campaign continues, the incident remains a prominent issue, influencing public perception of both the provincial and municipal handling of homelessness. The $250 million allocation and the upcoming discussion between the CAQ leader and the Montreal mayor signal a significant policy focus in the weeks ahead.