Official Oppostion says Montrealers can expect snow removal cutbacks

Montreal’s Official Opposition Ensemble Montreal are denouncing the upcoming cutbacks for snow removal services.

In a press conference held Thursday, members of Ensemble Montreal claimed that the Plante administration wants to implement reforms that will slow down the snow removal process.

“Blue-collar workers and subcontractors will have 4.3 days rather than 3.1 days to carry out clearing operations, and the size of areas served by city employees will increase from 30 km to 40 km, forcing some boroughs to share services,” reads a press release.

Leader of the Official Opposition Aref Salem said that Project Montréal expects the weather to adapt to their political agenda.

“I never thought I’d see a city administration asking for snow clearing to take longer,” he said. “With all these service cutbacks, Montrealers have every right to wonder just what is the purpose of the record 4.9 per cent tax increase recently imposed on them.”

Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa said citizens want quick service.

“Not only will this decision penalize the communities that do it fast, but it will also impact citizens because employees who have to go to work will also be slowed down by this process,” he explained.

Additionally, boroughs will now be limited to one local clearing operation per year rather than two and will have to pay for it and obtain permission from the city to initiate it.

Christine Black is the mayor of Montreal North. She said that the new proposed reform will create inequities between residents and neighbourhoods.

“The boroughs are on the front line. They are in the best position to identify and respond quickly to needs,” explained Black. “I’m particularly concerned about the elderly and people with disabilities, who were already complaining to us about universal accessibility issues related to snow removal.”

Lachine Mayor Maja Vodanovic is a member of Projet Montréal.

She said that they are trying to adapt with ongoing climate change that has been impacting the city over the years.

“What’s really problematic with climate change is the sidewalks. We’re concerned about pedestrians who are walking when its minus 10 degrees, when there’s ice, that’s when it becomes difficult. So, with our plan, we want to focus more on that,” she explained in French.

The vote for the proposed reform by the Plante administration will take place on April 15 at a council meeting and if adopted, it will be in force for 10 years.