Montrealers Vote 2025: How can the city’s next mayor support downtown’s economic development?

As Montrealers prepare to elect a new mayor on Nov. 2, one of the city’s biggest questions remains unanswered: how to bring life back to the downtown core.

Once the heartbeat of the city’s economy, downtown Montreal is still struggling to regain its footing after years of disruption. Construction, shifting work habits, and rising vacancies have left merchants and business owners searching for stability — and leadership.

“Downtown has a cold,” said Glenn Castanheira, executive director of Montréal Centre-Ville. “The next mayor really needs to understand that downtown Montreal is the biggest revenue generator for the city. It is the biggest concentration of jobs with over 300,000 jobs an hour downtown”

For restaurant owner Alain Creton, who also heads the Peel Street merchants’ association, the changes since the pandemic have been stark, noting restaurant closures and changes in working habits.

“50 per cent maybe sometimes 75 per cent of employees don’t show up to the office, but they work from home,” said Creton.

Pedestrian traffic has also been slowed by construction zones, detours, and a growing perception that downtown is no longer worth the trouble. Some Montrealers cite difficult parking, while others complain of dirty streets and a decline in safety.

“If you keep to the main roads it all looks pretty clean and pretty safe but there are a few back roads especially at night I wouldn’t want to be caught dead,” said Andreas Hernnkind, a tourist visiting from Germany on his impression of Montreal’s downtown.

Castanheira pointed out that the issues extend beyond appearances.

“We’re seeing an increase of 911 calls, especially in regards of mental health issues, bringing an entry, theft, are things that have always existed but are increasing in our downtown,” he said. “Clean and safe is the core of any healthy downtown.”

With the election campaign in full swing, mayoral candidates are promising to tackle those concerns head-on.

• Ensemble Montréal proposes to revitalize downtown by improving cleanliness, safety, and access — with rapid-response cleanup teams and more mixed-use housing. It is also promises to strengthen business vitality by reducing construction disruption and attracting people back to the core.
• Projet Montréal plans to double the downtown revitalization budget to bring more year-round events, cleaner streets, and better construction management. It also promises to expand the Palais des congrès and support festivals to attract tourism and international business.
• Transition Montréal wants to cut red tape and simplify bylaws to help small businesses grow and expand terraces and street services as well as invest in culture — from free museum days to funding local festivals — as a driver of economic and social growth.
• Futur Montréal promises to support entrepreneurs with pop-up shops and flexible spaces to showcase local talent and innovation. It also wishes to boost international trade links and help small businesses digitize to reach new markets at home and abroad.
• Action Montréal says it will keep Sainte-Catherine Street open to cars while beautifying it with green spaces and art to boost foot traffic and business.

For Creton, the key to success lies in collaboration and transparency between city hall and business owners.

“I want to know what kind of city my kids are going to live in 10 years from now,” he said. “So please let us know, don’t hide anything from us, that’s what I want, just keep the book open and we work together.”

Montreal’s next mayor will inherit a downtown that still has the foundations of a thriving economic hub — but one in need of care, coordination, and a clear vision for the decade ahead.