On September 19, 2026, Quebec Minister Benoît Fréchette and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante met in Montreal to announce a series of promises, the most prominent being the creation of a $250 million emergency fund aimed at addressing homelessness. The announcement was made jointly by the provincial and municipal leaders as part of a coordinated response to the city’s growing housing crisis.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of public fallout after a baby was discovered in a homeless encampment earlier this month. That incident intensified scrutiny of the city’s handling of homelessness and sparked calls for immediate action. Both officials highlighted the fund as a rapid‑deployment resource intended to support emergency measures for people without stable housing.
City officials have faced increasing criticism over how they have managed the homelessness issue, with the recent baby incident underscoring concerns about safety and oversight in encampments. The $250 million emergency fund represents a new financial commitment from the province and the city to bolster services and infrastructure aimed at reducing the number of people living on the streets. Details on how the money will be allocated have not been released, but the announcement signals a collaborative effort to address the pressing needs identified by community advocates and residents.