Pedestrianization of Sainte-Catherine Street West: A Referendum Demanded

The Official Opposition Spokesperson for Economic Development, Julien Hénault-Ratelle, and the Independent City Councillor for the Peter-McGill district, Serge Sasseville, are demanding a consultative referendum on the pedestrianization of Sainte-Catherine Street West. At a press conference held this Thursday morning, the two elected officials expressed their concern about the lack of consultation and transparency surrounding this project. They believe that such a process, which could be held during the next municipal elections to encourage widespread participation and reduce the associated costs, is essential to ensure the social acceptability of the redevelopment.

“Such a project will have major consequences for our merchants and residents, in addition to having effects on the mobility of the entire city. Downtown Montreal is one of the largest event and attraction hubs in Canada, and it is crucial that all Montreal citizens be able to have their say on this issue,” said Julien Hénault-Ratelle.

“Between the construction sites, vacant businesses, social coexistence issues, and sanitation problems, everyone agrees that it’s already chaos downtown. It’s unthinkable to add such a burden on the economic heart of our metropolis! The Projet Montréal administration must stop improvising and take into account the opinion of the entire population,” added Serge Sasseville.

Pedestrianization Swept Under the Carpet

According to an internal document, the City of Montreal wishes to completely and permanently pedestrianize Sainte-Catherine Street West by creating four “pedestrian esplanades” between the Quartier des spectacles and Atwater Avenue. These developments would have the effect of redirecting deliveries and garbage collection to the transverse streets and limiting them to 5-minute stops.

Although the redevelopment of Sainte-Catherine Street has been the subject of consultation processes, residents and merchants have not had the opportunity to clearly position themselves on its permanent pedestrianization. The project was only part of a set of scenarios. Moreover, one of the findings of the process is that “permanent pedestrianization is only feasible if it does not hinder the functionality of

the residents, the commercial vitality of the street, and its impact on the surrounding streets is minimized.”

A motion requesting that the City of Montreal make the completion of the Sainte-Catherine Street West pedestrianization project conditional on its unequivocal approval by merchants and residents will be tabled at the next city council meeting on November 18 and 19.

Highlights about downtown Montreal:

• 1,200 stores, including 450 with street frontage;
• 1,200 bars and restaurants, 40 hotels, 60 cultural establishments;
• 500,000 people traverse the streets of downtown every day;
• 300,000 jobs are located in downtown Montreal;
• 135,000 students attend downtown Montreal;
• 1 in 5 people living in the territory of the Metropolitan Community use a car to get to downtown;
• 72% of peak morning commute trips are for work and study purposes.