CHU Sainte-Justine in Montréal is Canada's largest mother-and-child centre and one of the four most important pediatric centres in North America, offering 24/7 emergency care exclusively for children and mothers. As a Level 1 pediatric trauma centre affiliated with the Université de Montréal, it provides tertiary and quaternary care across all pediatric surgical specialties, oncology, organ transplantation, and obstetrics. Families from across Quebec — and beyond — are referred here for the most complex and critical pediatric and maternal cases.
Services & Specialties
Level 1 pediatric trauma centre, Pediatric emergency medicine, Obstetric emergency care, Pediatric cardiac surgery, Pediatric neurosurgery, Pediatric vascular surgery, Pediatric liver transplantation, Craniofacial surgery, Burn surgery, Pediatric oncology and hematology, Pediatric intensive care unit (30 ICU beds), Child and adolescent psychiatry, Chronic pain management (provincial reference centre), Developmental disorder management (provincial reference centre), Deafness detection (provincial reference centre), Palliative care for children and mothers, Pediatric rehabilitation (Centre de réadaptation Marie-Enfant).
Amenities
Food court (Délipapilles brand)
Cafeteria and restaurant options
Vending machines and micro market
Patient meal delivery service
On-site pharmacy
Gift shop
ATM
Playrooms and family lounges
Accessible public restrooms
Public art installations and culturally sensitive design
Triage is priority-based — the sickest children are seen first regardless of arrival order, so expect variable wait times for non-urgent concerns.
With over 82,000 ER visits per year, this is an extremely high-volume department. For minor or non-urgent issues, consider calling Info-Santé at 8-1-1 or visiting a walk-in clinic to reduce your wait.
Waiting areas are limited in size — the hospital recommends keeping the number of accompanying family members to a minimum when possible to help manage space.
Pack provisions for a potentially long wait: bring formula, baby food, diapers, and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for your child.
CHU Sainte-Justine serves children and mothers only — adult patients in critical condition are transferred to partner hospitals such as the MUHC or CHUM. Ensure this is the right facility for your patient before travelling.
What to Bring
Provincial health insurance card (RAMQ card)
Photo ID for the accompanying parent or guardian
List of current medications and dosages
Formula, baby food, and diapers for infants
Over-the-counter pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for extended waits
Comfort items for the child (favourite toy, blanket, or book)
Snacks and water for accompanying caregivers
Any relevant medical records, previous test results, or specialist referral letters
Parking
Patient and visitor parking is located west of CHU Sainte-Justine, accessible from Chemin Côte-Sainte-Catherine. Payment is accepted by credit card or cash. Designated accessible parking spaces are available for individuals with disabilities. Verify current rates directly with the hospital or on-site signage upon arrival.
Getting There
The nearest metro station is Édouard-Montpetit (Blue Line, Line 5), approximately 750 m away — about a 10-minute walk. STM Bus routes 129, 16, 161, 165, and 51 also serve the hospital. The closest bus stop (De La Côte-Sainte-Catherine / De La Côte-des-Neiges) is roughly 343 metres away, a 5-minute walk. Lines 2 (Orange) and 5 (Blue) connect to the broader Montréal metro network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CHU Sainte-Justine's emergency department treat adults?
No. CHU Sainte-Justine is a mother-and-child centre and its emergency department treats children and pregnant or postpartum mothers only. Adult patients who require intensive care are transferred to partner institutions such as the MUHC, CHUM, or Jewish General Hospital.
How does triage work at CHU Sainte-Justine's ER?
Upon arrival, every child is assessed by a nurse and assigned a triage priority level. Patients are seen by a physician in order of clinical urgency — the most critically ill children are treated first, regardless of arrival time. This means wait times for less urgent visits can be significant.
Is CHU Sainte-Justine a trauma centre for children?
Yes. CHU Sainte-Justine is a Level 1 pediatric trauma centre — the highest designation — and receives severely injured children from across Quebec. It is equipped to handle the full spectrum of pediatric trauma activations.
Can families from outside Montréal or outside Quebec be treated at CHU Sainte-Justine?
Yes. CHU Sainte-Justine is a provincial and national reference centre. Approximately one in two children across Quebec requiring specialized care is referred here, and the hospital is recognized as one of the four most important pediatric centres in North America.
Is there parking available at CHU Sainte-Justine and is it accessible?
Yes. Visitor parking is located west of the hospital, accessible from Chemin Côte-Sainte-Catherine. The facility is fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and designated parking spaces for individuals with disabilities. Payment is accepted by credit card or cash.
What services are available inside CHU Sainte-Justine for families during a long ER visit?
The hospital has a food court, cafeteria, vending machines, on-site pharmacy, gift shop, and ATM. Family-centred amenities include playrooms, lounges, and accessible restrooms throughout the building. Bilingual services in French and English are also available.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are ERstat’s estimates, built from what hospitals publish, or from our model where a hospital publishes no wait. They are not the hospital’s own figures. Actual waits may vary.