Dimitris Ilias
LJI Journalist

A new report has thrust Park-Extension, one of Montreal’s most overlooked neighborhoods, into the spotlight, revealing how urban design and public policy choices have left its residents ensnared in a cycle of hardship. Greater Montreal, home to over 4.1 million people, may be Quebec’s most populous region, but its urban landscape reveals stark divides. Vulnerable areas like Park-Extension face layered inequities that are not only detrimental to health but hinder residents’ quality of life in profound ways.
The report, produced by the Foundation of Greater Montreal (FGM) and the advocacy group Vivre en Ville, underscores how city planning and infrastructure fall short for marginalized neighborhoods. Park-Extension, along with areas like Montreal North, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, and Chomedey in Laval, are marked by limited access to essential services, poor environmental quality, and inadequate public transit. In these areas, residents navigate a daily reality that includes food deserts, scarce green spaces, and limited walkability, all of which compound existing social and economic challenges.
Environmental and Transportation Disparities
The report highlights that in Park-Extension, low-income residents are disproportionately affected by “heat islands,” urban areas where concrete and asphalt dominate, absorbing and trapping heat. This phenomenon, combined with limited tree cover, places neighborhoods like Park-Extension at a significant environmental disadvantage. Compared to more affluent areas, neighborhoods facing socio-economic challenges experience three times as many heat islands, while cooler, greener spaces are five times less common. These heat-prone zones increase health risks, especially for seniors, young children, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Compounding these environmental issues, transportation access in Park-Extension is severely limited. Public transit options are sparse, and bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets are minimal. According to the report, only 6% of schools in economically challenged areas, including Park-Extension, are surrounded by safe, low-traffic environments, which increases the likelihood of accidents. Karel Mayrand, CEO of FGM, emphasized the need for rapid improvements in transit, especially as car ownership has become essential for many, despite the financial strain. Residents who work outside typical business hours or lack convenient transit options often have no alternative but to rely on cars, trapping them in a cycle of financial burden.
Infrastructure Gaps and Housing Shortages
Infrastructure gaps exacerbate the difficulties for Park-Extension residents. The report notes that about 45% of disadvantaged areas in Greater Montreal are within 150 meters of major roadways, where air quality and noise pollution are much higher. Such proximity not only worsens respiratory health risks but contributes to an overall lower quality of life for these communities.

Housing also emerges as a critical issue, with social and affordable housing representing only 4% of Greater Montreal’s residential stock. In neighborhoods like Park-Extension, where 72% of households are renters, affordable housing options are desperately needed. Jeanne Robin, director of Vivre en Ville, explained that a historical lack of investment in social housing has left low-income families vulnerable to rising rents and substandard living conditions.
The scarcity of affordable housing extends beyond Park-Extension to other vulnerable areas like Montreal North and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. In some regions outside the Montreal core, nearly a quarter of municipalities have no social housing at all. This absence of housing options pushes lower-income families into already congested neighborhoods, increasing demand and driving up prices in the limited rental market.
Lack of Services and the Growing Need for Local Investments
While Montreal boasts a thriving urban core, disadvantaged neighborhoods like Park-Extension face significant service gaps. Public spaces, health facilities, and even basic grocery stores are scarce in these communities, creating “food deserts” where access to fresh produce and other essentials is limited. Mayrand argued that more services need to be accessible within walking distance, especially for seniors, who are often isolated. “If they try to venture outside their homes, they risk crossing six-lane streets where safety is compromised,” he noted, underscoring the urgent need for better local services.
The report sheds light on successful interventions in some parts of the city, which could serve as models for areas like Park-Extension. For example, a recent program providing free public transit for seniors in Montreal led to a 15-20% increase in transit usage among older adults in just six months, offering a blueprint for improving mobility without the economic strain of car ownership.
In Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, efforts to green and redesign streets, such as the redevelopment of Saint-Roch Street near Boulevard de l’Acadie, aim to make these neighborhoods safer and more sustainable. By creating pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined streets, these projects address both environmental concerns and safety issues, offering a glimpse into what a more equitable Park-Extension could look like.
A Call for Change Across Greater Montreal
While Park-Extension stands out in the report, it’s not alone. Neighborhoods like Montreal North and Chomedey in Laval experience similar challenges, highlighting a broader issue of systemic inequities across Greater Montreal. The authors call on all levels of government to address these inequalities holistically, proposing a coordinated approach that includes investments in public transit, green spaces, and social housing.
Karel Mayrand stressed that resolving these entrenched issues requires sustained commitment. “We must ensure investments are directed towards reducing the inequities facing our city’s most vulnerable populations,” he said, advocating for action across municipal, provincial, and federal levels to reshape Montreal into a more inclusive and sustainable metropolis.

For residents of Park-Extension and other disadvantaged neighborhoods, the report serves as both a diagnosis and a rallying cry for change. Its authors hope that by addressing these interconnected challenges, Montreal can transform into a city where everyone, regardless of neighborhood, enjoys equal access to health, safety, and opportunity.