MONTREAL — Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante says a “constitutional fight” between Quebec and Canada is blocking the money the city sorely needs to deal with the worsening problem of homelessness.

Plante is calling on the governments of Quebec and Canada to finalize a deal to release what she says is a promised $100 million to help provide shelter and other forms of support to the province’s homeless population.

In September, the federal government announced a total of $250 million to help provinces and territories open more shelter spaces, transition houses and services to provide housing for people living in camps.

Radio-Canada reports today that Ottawa has promised Quebec $50 million from this envelope, but is waiting for the province to make an equivalent investment, and Quebec is resisting the obligation to provide plans on how the The money will be spent.

Plante says about half of the province’s unhoused population is in Montreal, so she expects half of the eventual total to go to the city.

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada says in an emailed statement today that negotiations are underway, while Quebec’s Ministry of Social Services says the province has not refused the money from Ottawa and that the negotiations are going “very well”.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 8, 2024.

Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press