Longueuil, Quebec – Six months after two newborn babies were abandoned in the city, including one tragic case resulting in death, municipal authorities have created a specialized committee to address the underlying issues of maternal vulnerability and homelessness. The initiative comes as a direct response to a series of deeply distressing events that brought the precarious situation of pregnant women experiencing homelessness into sharp focus.
The most recent incident occurred on October 27, 2025, when a newborn was found deceased in a bus shelter in Longueuil. Just three weeks prior, on October 5, 2025, another newborn was discovered abandoned in front of a residence. These events have prompted urgent calls for increased support and resources for expectant mothers facing housing insecurity.
The Maison de la Paix, one of the few shelters in Longueuil specifically dedicated to supporting women, has been at the forefront of addressing this crisis. Marie-Josée Kiolet, the organization’s service coordinator and a member of the newly formed committee on perinatal homelessness, emphasized that these tragedies are a direct consequence of insufficient resources. “These heartbreaking events are also a consequence of a lack of resources,” Kiolet stated.
Addressing “Hidden Homelessness”
Since opening its emergency shelter in November 2024, Maison de la Paix has provided support to nine pregnant women, many of whom were in their third trimester. The challenges faced by these women are often compounded by experiences of violence and a lack of stable housing. One woman, identified only as Anie, shared her story, describing fleeing a violent home and navigating a system with limited availability. “When you’re in an organization and your time is up, you don’t know what’s next. We called many organizations; they told me they had no space, so Maison de la Paix was really luck,” she recalled.
This situation highlights what advocates call “hidden homelessness” – a state of instability where individuals are without a fixed address, moving between resources and facing the constant threat of ending up on the streets. This instability creates significant stress for both the mother and the developing child. “You can’t emotionally connect with your baby. At the ultrasound, people are crying, but you can’t cry, you can’t be happy, you can’t even enjoy being pregnant, because you’re always thinking: where am I going to live? What am I going to give my child?” Anie explained.
Fortunately, Anie was able to secure subsidized housing, allowing her to retain custody of her daughter. However, she remains the sole Maison de la Paix resident who has been able to do so, according to Kiolet. The lack of stable housing often leads to intervention from the youth protection services, increasing the risk of a child being removed from their mother’s care.
Ongoing Investigations and Committee Work
The circumstances surrounding the two newborn abandonments in October 2025 remain under investigation by the Longueuil Police Department (SPAL). According to police, the investigation into both cases is ongoing, with no further arrests made beyond the mother of the baby found in the bus shelter. As of this writing, no charges have been filed against that woman, La Presse reported.
The specialized committee on perinatal homelessness, comprised of representatives from municipal, community, and healthcare sectors, is expected to continue its work for several more weeks, the City of Longueuil confirmed. A key component of the proposed solution, according to Kiolet, is the hiring of a dedicated outreach worker to build trust with vulnerable women and assist them with navigating essential services, medical appointments, and paperwork.
“There are outreach teams, community clinics, and street workers already in place, but these women experiencing hidden homelessness are often missed by these services. Their expertise and approach aren’t through a feminist lens… The needs are different for a man than for a woman, especially in a perinatal context,” Kiolet explained.
A positive step forward is the scheduled monthly visits from a nurse from the local CISSS (health and social services agency) to Maison de la Paix, beginning next week.
Broader Trends and Potential Solutions
The issue of homelessness among pregnant women and single mothers is not limited to Longueuil, but is a growing concern across Canada. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario are currently studying the problem, highlighting the require for integrated services including social work, mental health support, medical care, and, crucially, housing. Psychologist Nicole Racine, also an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa, cited the Maxxine Wright Centre for Pregnant Women in Surrey, British Columbia, as a model, where a clinic and housing are co-located to provide comprehensive support.
Racine emphasized that convincing these women to seek medical care can be challenging due to past experiences of broken trust. “It can be quite complicated to convince these women to go see a doctor. They have many broken relationships, and we have to rebuild them,” she said. Stéphanie Manoni-Millar, a postdoctoral researcher in community psychology at the University of Ottawa, added that women often feel unheard in hospital settings and may leave without receiving adequate guidance, further exacerbating the stigma surrounding their situation.
The work of the Longueuil committee, and similar initiatives across the country, represents a critical step towards addressing the complex needs of pregnant women experiencing homelessness and preventing future tragedies. The committee’s recommendations and implementation of new services will be closely watched as a potential model for other communities facing similar challenges.
As the committee continues its deliberations, the focus remains on creating a more supportive and responsive system for vulnerable pregnant women in Longueuil. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
