When summer winds gust through a Pointe-St-Charles construction site, a foul smell emanating from it overpowers the area surrounding Augustin-Cantin and Island Sts.
One resident called the smell “chemical.”
“It’s a smell I’ve never smelled in my life, so I can’t really describe it,” said Katherine Scribner, who lives nearby.
Another resident compared the smell to creosote, a byproduct of coal tar.
Several people living nearby are concerned the smell coming from the construction site is toxic or unsafe and allege the city could be offering more information about the public health risks of the site. Some have complained of side-effects, including dizziness, headaches and nausea. While the smell doesn’t travel farther than the surrounding block, Gazette reporters visiting the site on Thursday also smelled a strong chemical odour and experienced a headache after prolonged exposure.
“The city said, ‘it’s safe. It’s fine.’ But I just find that hard to believe. It’s such a strong chemical smell,” Scribner added.
At the construction site, the churned soil is damp and dark.
“There’s also a constant flow of liquid there. So, frankly, it’s concerning,” said resident Manon Gemme.
She said the smell has been noticeable since May but has grown stronger in the past two weeks.
“I filed complaints with the city, and they were very slow to even acknowledge receipt of my message. It took weeks, and then all of a sudden, samples are being taken this week. It seems to me that if they were absolutely certain it wasn’t toxic or harmful, they wouldn’t be doing this all week,” Gemme said.
A construction site on the corner of Island St. and Augustin-Cantin St. in Pointe-St-Charles is emanating a foul odour, leading to numerous complaints from local residents Montreal, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Tim Snow / Montreal Gazette
A city spokesperson told The Gazette “the information currently available to the city indicates that the odours are coming from soil excavated as part of the site’s decontamination work.”
“Inspectors from the City of Montreal have visited the site to document the situation and are maintaining contact with the relevant authorities. The borough is also closely monitoring the situation in light of the concerns raised by residents in the area,” the spokesperson added.
The site was bought by Centre de la Petite Enfance (CPE) les Enfants de l’Avenir Inc. in 2024. It is currently being decontaminated with the plan to eventually turn it into a public daycare with 200 spots.
“We knew the site was contaminated, but not to this extent,” the general director for the daycare, Emmanuelle Speer, wrote to The Gazette.
More than two weeks ago, she says they discovered contaminants emitting strong odours.
“The contractor hired a specialized firm to test these materials throughout last week, and the results came in on Friday: they are below the hazard threshold. The contractor and subcontractors met with all relevant authorities last week and are continuing to work with them this week to implement odour-mitigation measures and conduct tests (City of Montreal, Public Health, Environmental Emergency Services, among others). All protocols are being followed to the letter,” Speer added, noting they understand that it’s significantly disrupting residents’ quality of life.
“Our goal is to ensure that the work proceeds smoothly, complies with regulations and poses no danger to the public.”
Caroline Smisek and Tom Vanger, who live just 200 metres away from the construction site with their newborn boy, say they would not send their child to the eventual daycare. Currently, they won’t even walk past the area.
“I’m already anxious about having to put him on wait-lists because the wait-lists for CPEs are insane. I don’t think I’ll even get a spot by the time I have to get back to work. But even if that (daycare) opens up, let’s say, 60 spots, I’m not putting my kid there. And it’s a block away,” Smisek said.
“I’ve smelled it. I’ve seen it. I know what’s there. I’m not putting my kid, who’s going to spend the majority of his day there, five days a week. Not happening.”
Leora Schertzer is a reporter at the Montreal Gazette who thrives on the chase. Whether it’s producing a documentary about sewage or investigating a Nazi gold scandal, it’s the novelty and adrenaline that keep her in this challenging industry. Send her tips at lschertzer@postmedia.com.
lschertzer@postmedia.com