Financial losses related to Montréal construction projects: Assistance for merchants still obstructed 

Montréal’s Official Opposition is calling for an overhaul of the city’s financial assistance and lump-sum subsidy programs for merchants affected by construction sites. After consulting many disadvantaged members of the business community and hearing their heartfelt cries, Ensemble Montréal is proposing effective measures to support a larger proportion of those affected. 

At the moment, only businesses affected by major work for at least six months have access to these programs. However, it only takes a few weeks of construction to cause a merchant’s revenues to plummet or even force it out of business. Our party therefore proposes reducing this eligibility period to three months. 

We also propose that establishments having the courage to set up shop on an artery despite ongoing construction should also receive financial support. This is not currently the case. The city could adjust the current $5,000 subsidy to these businesses based on the remaining duration of the work. 

Financial assistance, which has not been increased or indexed since 2021, also needs to be improved. The maximum subsidy should therefore rise from $40,000 to $45,000, and should be indexed annually to the consumer price index to keep pace with the rising cost of living. 

Finally, Ensemble Montréal wants to see the bureaucracy currently imposed on merchants streamlined to make it easier for them to apply for financial assistance programs. The city should also deploy a publicity campaign to raise awareness of these programs. 

Quotes: 

“$13 million allocated to merchants was still sitting in Montréal’s coffers last July, while many of them are struggling to make ends meet. It’s proof that the current program isn’t working! While the Plante administration usually excels at spending Montrealers’ money, it seems to be a Scrooge when it comes to supporting our entrepreneurs,” said Aref Salem, leader of the Official Opposition at Montréal City Hall.

“Once again, the Plante administration is demonstrating its poor management of Montréal by obstructing merchants’ success with endless construction sites, too much bureaucracy, and not a crumb of help. Our downtown area and many other neighbourhoods are already struggling to cope, so this is not the time to impose anothermountain of paperwork on those who keep our city alive without giving them any support. We need to immediately review the assistance programs that target them,” added Julien Hénault-Ratelle, economic development spokesperson. 

“Today, I’m afraid for my business and even for business development in Montréal. I and many other merchants have become vulnerable to the explosion of construction projects in Montréal. The City of Montreal is failing to meet its obligations in terms of support, communication and coordination. The Plante administration should listen to us for once and act accordingly. We need help now more than ever if we’re going to avoid closing down,” testified Vince Luca, owner of Chez Geeks gaming boutique.