Ensemble Montréal Aims to Enchant Montreal’s Streets with the Spirit of Winter
Ensemble Montreal wishes to bring the magic of winter and the holiday season to the city’s commercial streets. The party is calling on the municipal administration to increase funding for business development corporations to better revitalize shopping streets during this period and implement attractive winter projects.
“Montreal is recognized globally as a premier destination, but the winter season remains a major challenge for the city’s businesses, retailers, and even the tourism industry. Other Canadian and international cities are fully embracing and capitalizing on their winters. Why couldn’t we do the same here in Montreal? It would be beneficial for both our citizens’ morale and our economy!” emphasizes Julien Hénault-Ratelle, the Official Opposition Spokesperson for Economic Development.
To compete with iconic destinations like the Champs-Élysées in Paris, 5th Avenue in New York, or Regent Street in London, known for their holiday illuminations, Ensemble Montreal proposes organizing an outdoor decoration contest for merchants, residents, and community organizations. On a larger scale, a specific winter revitalization strategy should be developed by the administration so that Montreal is recognized worldwide as a “winter city,” as Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Saskatoon have done.
Calling for Free Parking
Ensemble Montreal is also asking the administration to implement free parking on commercial streets during off-peak hours during the holidays, as they agreed to do in 2020 and 2021. Given the popularity of online shopping and the challenges faced by many shopping streets, the party believes this initiative remains relevant for stimulating foot traffic, especially downtown, where paid parking hours have been extended until 11:00 PM.
The Official Opposition will present a motion to promote Montreal as a “winter city” and develop a specific winter revitalization strategy for commercial arteries at the next city council meeting, on November 18 and 19.
