Closing bars later does not mean that Montreal “will become like Las Vegas,” the Plante administration assured Tuesday. On the contrary, it intends to develop a nightlife policy “for the whole city”, adapted to the reality of each district.
“The goal is not to be Las Vegas. We really believe that this can be done collaboratively. We want people who do not want to participate in nightlife to be able to rest, but that this economic development, this cultural influence can also take place,” argued the head of culture on the executive committee, Ericka Alneus, on Tuesday.
In the evening, she answered questions from the many Montrealers who came to the launch of the consultation on the future Nightlife Policy.
Montreal essentially proposes to establish “nocturnal vitality zones” where a higher noise level would be allowed, in addition to providing financial assistance programs so that certain establishments can improve their soundproofing and close their doors later, beyond from 3 a.m.
Currently, noise regulations are similar everywhere, regardless of whether you are in a residential area or not. This is what should change in the coming months. “We will meet in the middle: enjoy your nightlife or enjoy your bed,” assured Mme Alneus, who also sees it as a way “to provide support to the cultural community”.
“No wall-to-wall”
The idea, however, raises concerns in the commercial world. Several questions from citizens also focused on bars and performance halls which are grappling with complaints from residents due to the noise they generate, which threatens their survival. Mme Alneus maintained on this subject that the aim is precisely to move towards a “more flexible, more adapted and more targeted” noise regulation.
“This will not be a project where we are going to go wall-to-wall,” argued the director of the Culture Department, Valérie Beaulieu. “We don’t want this to be a policy for downtown nightlife, but for all the boroughs which all have different realities,” she insisted.
The City says it has observed, based on pilot projects which were held in particular at the Société des arts technologies (SAT) in 2022, that noise does not increase beyond a business after 3 hours. “The observation we make is that the noise level remains high, but only near the establishment. This is a plus compared to a 3 a.m. closure where people may stop in a nearby park,” said Economic Development Commissioner Thomas Peltier.
“A zone of nocturnal vitality can also be a place defined as such, especially if it has a significant reception capacity,” continued Mr. Peltier, naming for example the MTelus, formerly the Métropolis, which has more of 2000 places.
With Isabelle Ducas, The Press