Projet Montréal has announced a reversal on two of their significant initiatives: biweekly garbage collection in the city’s Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, and postponing the Camillien-Houde project on Mount Royal.
If re-elected this fall, Projet Montréal said that garbage pickup in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve could return to a more frequent schedule, following months of complaints from residents over the borough’s current biweekly collection system.
The switch from the borough to have biweekly garbage collection began in November 2024 — this part of the party’s larger plan to make Montreal a zero-waste city by 2030.
But since then, residents have been citing unpleasant odours, overflowing bins, and an increase in rodents as major concerns.
At a press conference on Sunday, Projet Montréal announced it would bring back weekly pickups, but only during the summer months, specifically from June to September.
“For me, Montreal’s management must take into account the experience and opinions of the population; it’s fundamental,” said Luc Rabouin, head of Projet Montréal and mayoral candidate, in a press release.
“This collection spacing measure is effective and has proven itself, but we’ve learned that it can’t work the same way everywhere, especially in a dense neighborhood,” he added. “That’s why we will proceed gradually, incorporating the opinions of the residents of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.”
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“We have heard citizens’ concerns, and it is essential to demonstrate agility,” said Alia Hassan-Cournol, mayoral candidate of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. “It remains important for us that spaced collection remain in place for most of the year, as this measure has positive and concrete effects. However, it now seems clear that the summer period poses more challenges. That’s why we will adjust to ensure the cleanliness of public spaces during this critical period.”
Just weeks ago, opposition party Ensemble Montréal proposed restoring weekly garbage collection from May to October.
Following Projet Montréal’s new promise, Ensemble Montréal leader Soraya Martinez Ferrada accused the party of copying their plan.
“Projet Montréal’s announcement is almost a carbon copy of our commitment to bring garbage collection back to weekly between May and October in Mercier—Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, which we announced some time ago,” said Martinez Ferrada in a statement to CityNews.
“For years, the Plante-Rabouin administration had the opportunity to backtrack on this measure,” she added. “But it was intransigent and dogmatic, unilaterally imposing this decision on citizens, despite strong opposition.”
The second reversal from Projet Montréal involves the Camillien-Houde project on Mount Royal, which included ultimately closing the Way to vehicle traffic.
This was part of the city’s plan to redesign Mount Royal — with the goals to increase the amount of green space on the mountain, minimize erosion of the rock face, and protect travel for all users.
But on Monday morning, Rabouin announced in a press release that if elected he would modify the Camillien-Houde Way redevelopment project and postpone it.
His aim: to realign the city’s priorities with the urgent needs of Montrealers.
Rabouin acknowledged the importance of the Camillien-Houde project but said it requires reworking to ensure better access to Mount Royal — especially for seniors, people with reduced mobility, and families.
He also emphasized that the project cannot proceed without confirmation that it is possible to integrate public transit to the summit.
“In the short term, my priority is to devote as many resources as possible to getting people off the streets and addressing the housing crisis,” he said. “In a context where resources are limited, we must make responsible choices.”
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If elected, Rabouin said that he promises to direct funding and attention toward tackling homelessness, the housing crisis, and to invest in neighbourhoods already suffering the effects of climate events—particularly in those already affected by flooding and extreme heat.
He also aims to streamline city operations to better serve residents.
“We must do everything we can, with the resources at our disposal,” he added. “I want to be the mayor who prioritizes projects that have a real impact on people’s lives in their neighbourhoods.”
