Milton Park residents seek class-action lawsuit over homeless population

Merchants in the Milton Park area of Montreal would like something done to improve safety.

A group of residents living in Montreal’s Milton Park neighbourhood was in court Tuesday seeking authorization of a class-action lawsuit over the inconvenience they say is caused by the local homeless population.

They contend the issue began five years ago, when the former Hotel-Dieu Hospital opened vacant space to help house the nearby homeless population.

The impact changed the neighbourhood, said local resident Eric Faille.

“The project was imposed to us and I mean that moment, everything collapsed. So did our security boundaries,” he said.

Drug use, theft, assault, breaking and entering – Faille said he’s seen it all. He blames the authorities for opening shelters for the unhoused without providing enough supervision for their clientele.

“We try to try to get the help of City of Montreal. No answer,” said Faille, adding that police “tried to do their best but they don’t have the budget.”

Last spring, Faille and other neighbours filed a class-action suit against the government, the city, and the Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette Church on Park Ave. near Milton St., which provides support for the unhoused.

On Tuesday, the group’s lawyer asked the court to authorize the suit, a first step in the legal process

“These people are not supervised at all. We consider that no measures have been taken to mitigate the damage,” said Gerard Samet, lawyer for the plaintiffs.

Samet argued that every neighbour affected should be compensated $25,000.

Lawyers for the governments and the shelters argue that supervision is provided for the homeless population, adding that local residents haven’t made a valid case they deserve compensation.

The judge is expected to rule next year if the class-action can move forward.