Montreal grapples with combatting climate change, transitioning to a green city, and losing access to affordable housing. CUTV's new web series Metropolis explores these issues. 

CUTV welcomes you to watch the pilot episode of Metropolis, a biweekly show that delves into the dynamic world of Montreal’s politics. In this episode, host Kalden Dhatsenpa welcomes guest Dru Oja Jay, executive director of CUTV and publisher at the Breach.

Throughout his career, Dru has witnessed pivotal moments in Canadian politics. From the anti-globalization movements of the 2000s, which challenged the dominance of neoliberalism’s free trade policies, to his recent endeavors aimed at rejuvenating community journalism, a field he says has been battered by corporate interests. Dru’s philosophy centres around what he terms "communal luxury," emphasizing the importance of shared prosperity and well-being for all.

In this episode, Kalden and Dru explore recent headlines that offer intriguing insights into Montreal’s current political landscape. They also delve into unexpected protests advocating for parking spaces and examine the intriguing narrative of tiny homes as a potential solution to the colossal housing crisis gripping our city. With Dru’s unique perspective and extensive experience, he and Kalden aim to uncover the deeper implications of these issues and their impact on Montreal’s vibrant community.

Metropolis reached out to the City of Montreal for comment on some Montrealers attributing pedestrianization and bike lane construction to rising property values, which ultimately contribute to issues of rising rents. 

"Montreal does not have all the levers or resources needed to tackle the housing crisis on its own," Head of Communications for the City of Montreal Virginie Gagnon told Metropolis. "For sustainable solutions to be implemented, all players must contribute... Increased funding for social and affordable housing from other levels of government is needed to meet the pressing needs in Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec."

She added that the City of Montreal is committed to improving the quality of life for all Montrealers, regardless of the neighbourhood. Gagnon added that the city is developing cycling infrastructures to promote access to alternative means of transportation and equitably for all Montrealers.

"We believe in the need to continue greening and developing our parks to create quality living environments on a human scale, always with the principle of territorial equity in mind," said Gagnon. "These developments are also always developed with a focus on being more resilient in the face of climate change. All these efforts are made with the aim of preserving the affordability and diversity of our neighbourhoods, and making the development of social and affordable housing a priority." 

---

Join us as we embark on this journey through the complex web of Montreal’s politics, aiming to shed light on the stories that matter most to our city and its residents. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions and engaging insights right here on Metropolis.