MONTREAL – The City of Montreal is revolutionizing its approach toward the homeless population, announcing a plan to accept certain homeless encampments rather than dismantling them. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada introduced this new strategy on February 20, 2026, emphasizing that while these camps are not a permanent solution, the act of dismantling often leads to trauma for vulnerable individuals and merely shifts the issue elsewhere.
“Dismantling, as we have seen in the past, does not work," stated Mayor Martinez Ferrada. She underscored the need for a more humane approach and stated, “You are not creating a path or a roadmap out of homelessness.” The city’s newly established policy aims to create “tolerance zones” on city-owned properties, where encampments will be allowed under specific safety regulations. This framework prioritizes the dignity and rights of those experiencing homelessness while attempting to address community concerns.
Despite acknowledging the necessity of tolerance, the mayor clarified that the ultimate goal remains to transition individuals out of these camps. “Ultimately, we agree that the roadmap is to get people out of the camps,” she noted. However, she pointed out that establishing transitional housing and emergency shelters is a lengthy process. Therefore, instead of breaking up encampments, the city plans to relocate them if there are security or nuisance issues that arise.
“We have a humanitarian crisis on our hands; we must be tolerant, but we must be tolerant within a framework that respects the real security issues of local residents,” Martinez Ferrada emphasized. She recognized the complexity of homelessness and remarked, “We need to give ourselves time to resolve an issue for which we have no magic wand.”
This new strategy in Montreal draws inspiration from Longueuil, Quebec, located on the South Shore, where encampments are strictly regulated. In Longueuil, rules limit encampments to a maximum of five tents and prohibit their placement within 250 meters of schools, daycares, senior residences, or women’s shelters. These specific regulations have influenced Montreal's approach as it seeks to balance empathy for the homeless with the safety of the wider community.
The initiative represents a shift in municipal policy, reflecting a growing recognition of the complexities surrounding homelessness and the need for sustainable solutions. With the establishment of tolerance zones, the City of Montreal endeavors to address the immediate needs of homeless individuals while working toward long-term solutions that promote their well-being and stability.
This transformation in policy is part of a broader conversation surrounding homelessness in urban centers, where traditional methods of simply dismantling camps have proven not only ineffective but damaging to the most vulnerable populations. The new approach seeks to provide a structured and respectful environment that can foster healing and development for those who find themselves without homes.
