The Hôpital Général de Montréal (Montreal General Hospital) emergency department is a provincially designated Level I trauma centre located at 1650 Avenue Cedar in Montréal, QC — one of only three such centres in Quebec. As part of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), this 533-bed tertiary care academic hospital offers 24/7 emergency services including trauma care, psychiatric emergencies, and a short-stay unit. Patients with complex, serious, or traumatic injuries from across the region are routinely referred here for specialist and multidisciplinary care.
Services & Specialties
Level I Trauma Centre (provincially designated), Tertiary emergency care, Psychiatric emergency department, Short-stay unit, Geriatric medicine consultation and emergency support, Specialist and multidisciplinary consultations, Bilingual services (English and French), Indigenous patient support with welcome materials in Inuktitut, Cree, English, and French, Outpatient Day Hospital rehabilitation program.
Amenities
Free public Wi-Fi (network: CUSM-MUHC-PUBLIC, Username: public / Password: wifi)
2 ATMs on-site (one located on the 1st floor at the Pine Ave. entrance)
Day Hospital outpatient rehabilitation program
Valet parking service (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
Social Services department (assistance with accommodation for out-of-town families)
Overnight reclining chair available for family members staying with patients
Enter the Emergency Department from Pine Avenue — the ED entrance and closest parking are on that side of the building, not Cedar Ave.
Patients are triaged by severity of condition, not arrival order. If your condition is serious or worsening, alert staff immediately.
As a Level I trauma and tertiary referral centre, this ED treats the most complex cases in Quebec — for minor ailments, a local walk-in clinic may result in a shorter wait.
The hospital is bilingual. Staff can serve you in both English and French, and Indigenous patients can request a welcome guide in Inuktitut or Cree.
If you're a Quebec resident with a valid Medicare card (RAMQ), most emergency and hospital services are fully covered — bring your card to expedite registration.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the MUHC network — connect to CUSM-MUHC-PUBLIC (Username: public / Password: wifi) while waiting.
What to Bring
Quebec Medicare card (RAMQ card) or provincial health insurance card
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, recent lab results, or referral letters
Health insurance information (for non-Quebec residents or private coverage)
Payment method for any non-covered costs (cash, credit, or debit accepted)
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer — emergency waiting areas can be cool
Snacks, water, and entertainment for potentially long wait times
Parking
On-site covered multi-level parking is accessible from both Pine Ave. and Cedar Ave. entrances. Handicap-accessible spaces are available on level P14 and near both main entrances. Parking height clearance is 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in). Valet service is available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. at no extra charge when the lot is full. Payment by cash, credit, or debit at automated machines near building exits. Drop-off and pick-up is available at the Cedar Ave. main entrance. The ED entrance and its closest parking lot are accessed from Pine Ave.
Getting There
The nearest metro station is Guy-Concordia (Green Line). Bus routes 66, 165, and 166 also serve the hospital. The hospital has entrances on both Cedar Avenue (north) and Pine Avenue (south).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Emergency Department entrance at Hôpital Général de Montréal?
The Emergency Department entrance is located on Pine Avenue (the south side of the hospital). The parking lot closest to the ED main entrance is also accessed from Pine Ave. The main hospital entrance on Cedar Avenue is on the north side.
Is Hôpital Général de Montréal a trauma centre?
Yes. The Montreal General Hospital is one of only three provincially designated Level I trauma centres in Quebec, making it the highest level of trauma care available in the province. It serves as a regional referral centre for the most serious and complex trauma cases.
Does the Montreal General Hospital emergency department offer psychiatric emergency services?
Yes. The ED includes a dedicated psychiatric emergency department, providing mental health crisis care alongside its general and trauma emergency services.
Can I be seen in English at Hôpital Général de Montréal?
Yes. As part of the MUHC, the Montreal General Hospital is a bilingual academic health centre officially designated to provide services in both English and French. Indigenous patients can also request a welcome guide in Inuktitut or Cree.
Is parking available close to the Montreal General Hospital emergency room?
Yes. A covered multi-level parking lot is on-site and accessible from Pine Avenue, which is the same side as the ED entrance. Handicap spaces are available on level P14 and near both main entrances. Valet parking is offered Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at no extra charge when the lot is full.
What is the short-stay unit at the Montreal General Hospital emergency department?
The short-stay unit is a component of the ED designed for patients who require observation or treatment over a brief period but may not need full hospital admission. It helps manage patient flow and ensures appropriate monitoring without occupying a full inpatient bed.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Quebec health data. Actual wait times may vary.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 41 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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