City officials in Montreal filed an appeal on September 4, 2026, seeking to overturn a Quebec Superior Court injunction that barred the municipality from dismantling a homeless encampment situated near a local skate park and basketball court in the Van Horne neighbourhood.
The Superior Court ruling had placed a legal barrier on any city action aimed at removing the makeshift settlement, effectively freezing the municipality’s usual approach to managing encampments in public spaces. The city’s appeal argues that the injunction limits its ability to enforce municipal bylaws and maintain the safety and accessibility of the surrounding recreational facilities.
The encampment, which has been established close to the skate park and basketball court, remains in place under the terms of the court order. City representatives indicated that the appeal is intended to restore their authority to address the situation in accordance with existing policies, without providing new details about the composition or size of the encampment.
The legal challenge adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue between municipal authorities and the courts over how to handle homelessness in public areas. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether the city can proceed with removal operations or must continue to observe the injunction while exploring alternative solutions for the residents of the Van Horne encampment.