Job announced at “last minute”: Lack of respect, traders say

Businesses in the Latin Quarter have denied being told recently that work on Ontario Street is about to start this week and therefore fear the end of the terrace season will fall through the cracks.

“The busiest period is now and the next few weeks […] Inflation, at the beginning of the academic year, we tried to add new products to increase sales a little and at the same time we started efforts,” said the director of Delises Sirar, located in Sirar Charba, Ontario.

His business, a restaurant and grocery store that sells oriental products, was one of 3,600 locations that recently received notice that construction would begin on September 23, shortly after the letter was sent. According to the document in question, the work would first proceed westward for about eight months between Berry and Atateken in Ontario.

Photo Agency QMI, Mary-Laurence Delaney

“Already many customers are complaining about lack of parking. What's more, it will further reduce the work places,” feared M^me Fat

According to our information, the project in question aims to restore the centuries-old sewer collector on Ontario Street, to avoid the water main break that occurred in Center-Sud a month ago, which created an impressive geyser. .

“We understand that the work needs to be done, that we're not going to be flooded, but still prefer to be consulted,” said Julien Vaillancourt Laliberte, general director of the Latin Quarter Commercial Development Company.

“Notify in advance so we can inform members […] We need partners. Unfortunately, that is not the impression it gives,” he said.

Many businessmen also understood the need for the work, but regretted not being informed of any mitigation or financial measures.

“To find out, three days in advance, that they're still going to work […] It's a lack of respect for traders,” said Martin Guimond, owner of Saint-Bac in Saint-Denis.

Photo Agency QMI, Mary-Laurence Delaney

Second Cup in Saint-Denis has just approved the work of the Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) at the Berry-UQAM station, saying it has seen a 30% drop in its customer base since the project began. In 2022.

“Construction is non-stop, City, STM etc. I saw only asphalt. No one wants to come to the Latin Quarter. No parking spaces, lots of dust and noise. No one wants to drink coffee and read newspaper on the terrace […] There, you add another tick,” explained Ali Abdallah, owner of the second cup.

For his part, a spokesman for the city of Montreal, Hugo Bourgoin, recalled that a “liaison agent was assigned to the file” for merchants with “questions” or “concerns.” Details regarding financial assistance are available on the city's website, he said.