During a heated debate at Place des Arts, Montreal’s mayoral candidates Soraya Martinez Ferrada of Ensemble Montréal and Luc Rabouin of Projet Montréal clashed over the city’s tourism strategy.
The candidates delved into plans for enhancing festivals, revamping public spaces, and upgrading major venues, while also tackling pressing issues such as safety and cleanliness, which they agreed impact both residents and visitors alike.
Martinez Ferrada voiced her concerns, citing reports highlighting visitors’ dissatisfaction with the city’s cleanliness, lack of proper signage, and poorly maintained roads. She criticized Montreal’s lack of ambition compared to other Canadian cities, emphasizing the need for long-term planning to attract more people and events.
“Montreal needs to think ahead for the next decade. Other cities are investing to draw in larger crowds and events. It’s concerning that Montreal is falling behind cities like Calgary,” she remarked, underscoring the potential of tourism as a catalyst for economic and cultural growth, a facet she felt the current administration has overlooked.
Their viewpoints were mirrored by both locals and tourists, who expressed dismay over issues ranging from cleanliness and homelessness to accessibility and event venues. A French couple visiting Montreal decried the city’s state, highlighting the prevalence of filth and homelessness, while visitors from Northern Ireland bemoaned the lack of visible shops and the homelessness problem.
Residents like Kien Cecile raised concerns about the city’s ongoing construction projects causing navigation challenges, while Mohammad Mobed emphasized the need for improved cleanliness standards in Montreal’s public spaces.
Furthermore, voices like Siaka Soro echoed the sentiment that Montreal should invest in larger venues to attract international events, noting the city’s deficiency in spaces capable of hosting major gatherings like the World Cup.
On the flip side, Rabouin defended Montreal’s status as a prime tourist destination but stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility. He outlined his focus on municipal finances, emphasizing the need for a balanced budget and prioritizing housing initiatives to address the city’s homelessness issue.
Rabouin concluded by pledging to enhance cleanliness in downtown Montreal by doubling the resources allocated to city cleaning services.
