Frequently asked questions

1. What is a street parking for residents only (SRRR)? 
The permit allows residents of a sector to park near their home in zones reserved exclusively for them. It must be renewed annually and can be replaced in case of loss, moving, or a change of vehicle. 

This permit will therefore allow citizens living near REM stations to keep their on-street parking and prevent spaces from being taken over by REM users coming from other neighborhoods.

This measure is part of the Saint-Laurent Strategic Plan, which aims in particular to maintain residents’ quality of life and ensure fair sharing of public space.

2. Does a sector mean the same thing as a zone? 
No, a sector does not mean the same thing as a zone.

A sector refers to the geographic area located within a circular radius of 1 km around a REM station.

A zone refers to a portion within this territory that obtained 60% favorable votes, qualifying it for the possible implementation of a permit system.

3. How can I know if my zone will be given street parking for residents only permits ?
Only zones where 60% or more of households voted in favor of implementing permits in the 2023 survey are eligible: see the results. 

If you live in such a zone and if the borough’s ongoing analyses after the REM’s launch in Saint-Laurent demonstrate the need to implement permits, you will receive all necessary information by mail one month before implementation.

4. If I live in a zone where 60% or more of households supported the implementation of permits in the 2023 survey, when will they be introduced? 
After the opening of the REM Deux-Montagnes branch scheduled for November 17, 2025 (according to CDPQ Infra), borough teams will conduct field analyses until spring 2026 to assess actual parking and traffic behaviors.

The permit system will therefore be implemented only after this period, and only if concrete needs are observed in each identified zone.

5. How long will the analyses of the concerned zones take? 
The analyses must take into account the evolution of usage of the REM Deux-Montagnes branch during its first months and its impacts on parking and traffic. The first permits could be introduced during spring or summer 2026.

6. What do the borough’s analyses consist of?
In zones identified as favorable to permits, teams will observe the occupancy rate of parking spaces before and after the opening of the stations during the week.

These analyses will be carried out over several weeks to account for changes in travel habits over time.

7. What are the criteria for determining whether permits should be implemented? 
Data collected on parking and traffic habits near the stations will be compared with those obtained before the stations opened.

A permit system will only be introduced if the analyses demonstrate a real need, particularly when the occupancy rate of parking spaces exceeds 70%.

8. Why not implement permits immediately upon the opening of stations in zones that voted in favor? 
Before implementing permits, it is necessary to evaluate the use of the REM Deux-Montagnes branch during its first months and its real, concrete impacts on traffic and parking.

Several factors must be considered:

• Observation of usage: analyses must confirm a concrete need after the REM launch.
• Winter conditions: snow removal operations complicate implementation.
• Consultation held two years ago: it must be verified whether needs are still current.
• STM strike: it may distort data, requiring a longer analysis period.

9. Why consult the population in advance if the decision ultimately depends on analyses? 
Saint-Laurent anticipated a risk of increased parking pressure in the coming years, particularly due to the opening of four REM stations.

For this reason, households in nearby sectors were consulted in fall 2023 to measure their interest in a street parking for residents only (SRRR). This consultation aimed to gauge public opinion in advance, so that rapid action could be taken if analyses after the REM’s opening demonstrate that such a measure is necessary.

The implementation of a SRRR depends on two conditions: public support and conclusive field data.

10. Is it possible that a zone will not receive permits even if 60% or more of households supported them in the 2023 survey? 
Yes. Even if a majority of residents expressed interest in a permit system, it will only be implemented if analyses demonstrate a real need. If, after the REM stations open, parking in your sector remains available without particular pressure, no permits will be introduced.

11. If I live in a zone identified as favorable to permits and I experience parking or traffic issues, how can I request the implementation of permits?
 Analyses will continue until spring. However, you may send us your address so that our teams can ensure observations are carried out in your sector.

Contact: Geneviève Guérin | 438‑371‑5867 | [email protected]

12. Can I request the implementation of permits in my sector even if I am not near a REM station? 
Yes. We invite you to read the online procedure to obtain a resident parking permit from the Ville de Montréal.

Results of the public consultation

A total of 2473 households responded to the survey, representing the following response rates* per area: 

• Response rate in the Côte-de-Liesse area: 16%
• Response rate in the Du Ruisseau area: 23%
• Response rate in the Bois-Franc area: 37%
• Response rate in the Montpellier area: 10% 

*The target response rate of 10% of households per area was fully met. Note that the minimum threshold for meaningful results in this type of survey is 4% of the population. The 10% response rate that was achieved is therefore more than satisfactory.

Analysis of responses 

Each of the four areas was divided into sub-areas to simplify data analysis, making it possible to determine future REM users’ potential attraction to each sub-area and thereby help determine the areas where the parking sticker system will be implemented. 

Implementation zones 

In addition to corresponding to the factors described above, the identified implementation zones have 60% or more of survey respondents in favour of implementation. It should be noted that these zones where a majority of respondents are in favour of implementing SRRR stickers are in a radius of approximately 500 m from REM stations, where parking pressure will potentially be the highest. 

Only residents in these zones will be able to apply for stickers. 

The parking sticker system will not be introduced in zones that have not obtained this level of support. 

Please note: Opt-in rates have been calculated by sub-area. It is therefore possible for an area not to be favourable to the project as a whole, but for one of its sub-areas to have 60% or more respondents in favour, and therefore become an implementation zone.

Click here for details of the areas concerned.

A look back at the consultation process

In order to reach a large sample, representative of Saint-Laurent’s population, various communication tools were used: 

• A postcard invitation to attend the consultation evening in your area
• A webpage about the public consultation process
• Posts on social media
• Articles in the Bulletin de Saint-Laurent
• A radio commercial
• Liaison officers assigned to carrying out door-to-door operations

A public consultation process was held in the fall of 2023 for residents living in the vicinity of the future REM stations in Saint-Laurent. The consultation was carried out through an online and paper survey. 

Four consultation evenings, one for each area, were also organized in order to answer your questions in person and obtain your comments on the project. A total of 213 residents attended these evenings in person or online.