Unhoused man found dead of suspected hypothermia in Montreal

Quebec Coroner Investigates Death of Homeless Man in Montreal; Officials Call for Action

The Quebec coroner’s office has opened an investigation into the death of a 55-year-old homeless man in Montreal’s east end, which occurred on Sunday. The man was found lying at the corner of Valois Avenue and Ontario Street around 9 a.m. He was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Hypothermia is suspected as the cause of death.

Pierre Lessard-Blais, the mayor of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, expressed his frustration on social media, stating the tragedy could have been prevented if authorities had acted on repeated warnings about the urgent need for more shelter spaces.

“His death could have been avoided had municipalities’ calls for additional shelter spaces been heeded,” Lessard-Blais shared on X.

Montreal executive committee member Robert Beaudry, responsible for homelessness issues, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of creating new shelter spaces and warming areas to protect vulnerable populations.

“The time for waiting is over. It is urgent to open new shelters and warming areas in Montreal to protect the most vulnerable. The City is ready to act and calls on the government to join this effort,” Beaudry stated on social media.

The incident has reignited calls for immediate collaboration between the city and provincial authorities to address the growing homelessness crisis in Montreal.