The city of Montreal has declared a state of alert and activated additional warming centres in preparation for a severe polar vortex expected to bring dangerously low temperatures to the region this weekend. Officials announced on Wednesday that 534 new spots have been opened in warming facilities, bringing the total available spaces across the city's shelter network to approximately 3,000 for individuals experiencing homelessness.
City Officials on High Alert
Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, accompanied by executive committee chair Claude Pinard and social development executive Benoit Langevin, emphasized that all municipal departments are on standby as temperatures are forecast to plummet. "All of our departments are on standby," Martinez Ferrada stated during a press conference. "Everyone is on alert to make sure they tour the streets and encampments we know of to ensure people know about the resources."
The polar vortex is predicted to hit Quebec by Friday, bringing temperatures in the mid-minus-20s Celsius with wind chills approaching minus-40 in some areas. This extreme weather event has prompted the city to work closely with community organizations in the homeless sector to ensure vulnerable populations are aware of available shelters and warming centres.
New Warming Centre at Notre-Dame Encampment
During their Wednesday announcement, officials visited a newly operational warming centre at the Notre-Dame Street East encampment, one of Montreal's largest homeless settlements. The facility, operated by community group L'Anonyme from a 24/7 trailer, features Adirondack-style lawn chairs and can accommodate up to 10 people at a time.
Julien Montreuil, director of L'Anonyme, explained the necessity of the resource: "It's the biggest encampment in Montreal, and it was important to offer a warm place to people who will be spending the entire winter here." Montreuil estimates about 30 people currently reside in the encampment, with others coming and go.
Data Collection and Future Planning
Claude Pinard revealed that most new warming centres are operating at approximately 90 percent capacity, and the city is actively collecting data to better understand patterns of homelessness. "We're collecting a lot of data to try to understand what is happening: How people are moving from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, but also how they're using shelters and warming centres," Pinard said. This information will help inform future decisions regarding homeless services.
The additional warming centre spots represent part of the Ensemble Montréal administration's broader initiative to address the homelessness crisis, which they have identified as their top priority. The administration has committed to implementing measures aimed at preventing winter deaths among unhoused individuals, following at least one fatality this season when a man in his 30s died in a tent fire in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie in mid-December.
Community Response and Ongoing Challenges
Montreuil acknowledged that while the 10 spots in the Notre-Dame trailer are insufficient to meet all needs, plans are underway to open a second similar resource nearby. He expressed encouragement regarding the city's approach this winter but highlighted the severity of the current homelessness crisis, which has worsened significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The situation has completely changed," Montreuil emphasized. "There are a lot more people, and they are in truly catastrophic situations — situations they can die from — so I think we absolutely needed to double down on our efforts."
As Montreal braces for the impending polar vortex, city officials maintain confidence in their preparedness while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of addressing homelessness during extreme weather conditions. The coordinated effort between municipal authorities and community organizations represents a critical response to protecting vulnerable residents from life-threatening cold.
