The City of Montreal announced it will seek an appeal of a recent Quebec Superior Court decision that barred the removal of a homeless encampment located beneath the Van Horne viaduct in the Mile End neighbourhood. The municipal government said the appeal will be filed promptly, aiming to overturn the judgment that has temporarily halted any plan to dismantle the settlement.
The Superior Court ruling, issued earlier this week, placed a legal restriction on the city’s ability to clear the encampment. By preventing the removal, the judgment has kept the makeshift homes in place under the viaduct, a spot that has drawn attention from residents, service providers and city officials alike. The court’s intervention has turned the situation into a contested legal matter, with the city now preparing to argue its case before a higher court.
City officials have not disclosed additional details about the legal strategy or the timeline for the appeal, but the move signals a continued effort to address the encampment’s future. The Mile End area, known for its mixed‑use character, has seen the encampment become a focal point for discussions about homelessness, public space and municipal authority.
While the appeal process unfolds, the encampment remains in situ, and the city’s actions will be guided by the outcome of the legal challenge. The situation underscores the complexities faced by municipal governments when balancing public health, safety and the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness, all within the framework of provincial and federal law.
The upcoming appeal will be monitored by community groups, legal observers and residents, who await clarification on how the city intends to proceed once the court’s decision is rendered.