Expansion of financial assistance to Montreal businesses impacted by major construction projects

At a press conference Monday, Montreal mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada announced the expansion of financial support for businesses impacted by major construction projects to help them maintain operations and safeguard the commercial vitality of the city. 

More than 20 zones where businesses can benefit from financial assistance will now be expanded, including construction sites on Sainte-Catherine West, Fleury, Berri/De Maisonneuve, De Lorimier, and Notre-Dame.

“We have to make sure that we are keeping our local merchants and our vitality in the downtown core,” said Martinez Ferrada.

This comes after Brigade Pizzeria, located on Stanley Street, expressed concerns about a round of roadwork a month ago. The owner was unsure whether his business would be able to survive with the closure of Sainte-Catherine Street as well as Peel metro station.

City councillor, Leslie Roberts, explained that Stanley Street had been cut in two. This meant that businesses on one side of the street would gain eligibility for the financing, while the other side would not.

“What we did was just change the zoning so both sides now have the eligibility,” Roberts said.

Martinez Ferrada noted that the assistance program will merge two existing programs into one that is clearer, more accessible, and more efficient for applicants.

“No more bureaucracy around forms. They will be able to go online and request the subsidies,” she said. “Also making sure that the sites are bigger in terms of who has access to the program.”

Financial assistance is available up to a maximum of $40,000 per fiscal year to qualifying retail, rental, or consumer service establishments.

Martinez Ferrada said a lump sum of $5000 will now be paid out and they’re working to reduce the processing time for the second payment – which was previously more than 150 days.

“They could wait for a long time before getting help from the city, so I think that’s one way we can help merchants cope with the big works we’re going to have ahead,” she said.

Martinez Ferrada also noted that construction no longer has to persist for 6 months for a business to become eligible. Businesses under construction for three months now qualify.

To qualify further, businesses must generally demonstrate a decrease in gross profit of more than five per cent, establishments must be in operation before the project begins, and traffic jams must be visible in the affected area.