Montreal Opposition against pedestrianizing Sainte-Catherine Street
The city wants to transform parts of Sainte-Catherine Street West between the Quartier des Spectacles and Atwater into pedestrian-only zones.
Montreal is considering a proposal to ban cars from certain sections of Sainte-Catherine Street, but the opposition argues that the plan has not involved enough public consultation and is calling for a referendum.
Sainte-Catherine Street, located in the heart of downtown Montreal, is a bustling thoroughfare that attracts about half a million people every day.
Julien Hénault-Ratelle, a representative from Ensemble Montréal, emphasized the importance of the street, saying, “We’re talking about the most important commercial street in Canada.”
The city aims to turn parts of Sainte-Catherine Street West, between the Quartier des Spectacles and Atwater, into pedestrian-only zones.
Hénault-Ratelle criticized the current administration under Mayor Valérie Plante, claiming that it has not been fully transparent about the proposal. “There’s never been any promises made by the Plante administration, nor any consultations with residents or business owners of downtown Montreal,” he stated.
The area is home to over 2,000 shops and restaurants, and Hénault-Ratelle expressed concerns that street closures could affect essential services like deliveries and garbage collection.
Some local business owners are also apprehensive about the impact on their businesses. Alain Creton, president of the Peel Street Merchants Association, said, “We cannot destroy Sainte-Catherine, so we have to tell the administration to please review all of your plan.”
In response, Ensemble Montréal is advocating for a consultative referendum during the next municipal election, allowing Montrealers to voice their opinions on the matter.
However, some residents are in favor of making parts of the street car-free and keeping them pedestrian-friendly.
The city has stated that consultations are ongoing, and they are maintaining communication with downtown merchants and residents. They added, "We will continue to consult with them about the Sainte-Catherine Street West redevelopment project."
