The mayoress of Montreal implores more predictability from the Quebec government and public health, to ensure the revival of the event and cultural industry in the metropolis.
Accompanied by Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal, and Glenn Castanheira, general manager of the Société de développement commercial Montréal Centre-Ville, Valérie Plante asked for a “complete reopening plan”.
“Other provinces have predictability, but not Quebec. Montreal, as a cultural and economic metropolis, needs this plan to be able to support its entire sector,” added the mayor, who is afraid “that we will miss the boat” to organize this summer’s events, such as festivals, shows, but also congresses, which bring together hundreds of international travellers.
“Montreal runs not only a financial risk, but also a reputational one, while our health rules are more rigid than our competitors, while seeing Montreal’s performance in terms of vaccination,” said Yves Lalumière.
Indeed, other cities, such as Toronto, unveiled a plan at the end of January for the gradual relaxation of health measures. This is not the case in Montreal, where around fifty rallies in March and April have already been canceled.
The metropolis is losing its competitiveness with other North American cities, and risks tarnishing its reputation as a cultural hub that has taken “decades to develop”, laments Glenn Castanheira.