(Montreal) The City of Montreal is announcing on Thursday free on-street parking in downtown Montreal at certain times, from December 3 to January 2.
A similar measure was applied a year ago.
The upcoming measure will be in effect in the streets of the Ville-Marie borough on weekday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., as well as on weekends.
As in 2020, it aims to encourage the population to frequent downtown shopping streets and to encourage Montreal merchants during the holiday shopping season.
Glenn Castanheira, general manager of the Société de développement commercial (SDC) Montréal center-ville, is delighted with the announcement because the city center has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalls that initiatives have been put in place to promote the economic recovery of the heart of the city.
Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, who is also mayor of the Ville-Marie borough, says that after another year marked by the pandemic, downtown merchants need support more than ever.