A Petition Is Demanding 'Amnesty' From Curfew Fines For Homeless Montrealers

A petition is "demanding" that the governments of Quebec and Montreal give a curfew exception to homeless Montrealers.

Concerns were raised after Premier François Legault insisted at a January 6 press conference that homeless individuals "find themselves inside" during the curfew.

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We are concerned about the health and well-being of the unhoused population of the city of Montreal, which has doubled since the onset of the pandemic.

Meals for Milton-Parc petition

Legault further claimed that "there are enough spaces available" at homeless shelters despite reports that some of the city's shelters filled up during the first few nights of curfew. 

Nakuset, director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, also told Ricochet that "shelters are on the verge of collapse." 

According to Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault, the police will "accompany" homeless individuals to shelters rather than fine them upwards of $6,000 for being outside. 

Meals for Milton-Parc, however, worries that the police could be "criminalizing and fining those who have nowhere to go at night."

"This is not what shelters or their users need to get through this pandemic, and it's time to act for the most vulnerable of our neighbours."

The petition suggests, among other measures, "no longer applying the curfew to the unhoused" and "funding shelters and diverting employees to them."

As of the time of writing, the petition has over 7,400 signatures.