Mayor of Montreal gives $1M in Pandemic Funding to Downtown Montreal and Local Businesses

In Ville-Marie's most recent borough council meeting, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante announced the city would provide $1 million in funding towards downtown Montreal and local businesses. With the new omicron varian, which is much more contagious than former variants, Plante said the pandemic will continue to slow the economy and Montreal down. However, she encourages the public to enjoy downtown to help support local business and Montreal's economy.         

The city is moving forward with a project in Îlot Sainte-Catherine, where 60 units of social housing will be built, which includes outdoor and indoor community spaces, civic spaces, spaces for urban agriculture around Montreal – some will located on roofs and balconies.

Some of the public voiced concern over construction projects during the meeting, including a 15 floor building, which is said to be driving families out of the downtown area. Some questioned if Montreal is truly there to protect the quality of life of citizens or only to protect the interests of real estate developers.

Some of the public voiced concern over whether the social and affordable housing being constructed in the area of Peter-McGill will be built or whether developers will only be paid financial compensation by the city, as there has been a legal dispute with developers considering the zoning of the site. The same concerned citizen also questioned if Montreal will actually make offers and buy property to put towards social housing instead of letting developers continue to take control of Montreal property and heritage cites. 

This video was recorded in French.