Support measures: $25 million for downtown
One year after the start of the pandemic, the city and the Québec government are continuing to support downtown Montréal. They will contribute $25 million toward measures to revitalize this geographic area, hit particularly hard by COVID-19.
The Québec government is investing $15 million and Montréal $10 million to carry out tangible short-term actions to reimagine the role of the downtown area.
Assistance for businesses
- Expansion of the Fonds Entrepreneuriat commercial - $4 million
- Managed by PME MTL, the city’s business support network, this fund helps merchants, restaurant owners and bar owners.
- Conversion of offices into collaborative spaces - $2 million
- This subsidy program is designed to attract small businesses to the downtown core. SMEs can get support to arrange their office layout.
Developments in the downtown area
- Initiatives to make the downtown core attractive to workers and visitors - $6 million
These initiatives will include various approaches:
- Developing a return-to-work protocol in collaboration with the Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal and other stakeholders.
- Supporting cultural and tourist activities.
- Making large commercial streets active, pleasant and safe environments, to attract consumers while maintaining physical distancing.
- Designing outdoor work spaces to encourage activities and initiatives such as co-working.
- Revitalization of Chinatown - $2 million
- Supporting activities to revitalize this renowned district, which is home to more than 150 businesses employing about 500 people.
Supporting cultural, commercial and tourism vitality
- Supporting fine dining - $2 million
- Campaign to promote fine dining and support restaurant owners
- Supporting the “Recovery plan for downtown Montréal” implemented by the Quartier des spectacles in partnership with the Montréal centre-ville commercial development corporation - $3 million
Improving workers’ and visitors’ experience
- Stepping up efforts to keep streets and construction sites clean - $1 million
- Extending free parking - $3 million
Supporting the transformation over the longer term
- Renewing strategies in collaboration with community partners and budget for contingencies - $2 million
To better understand its downtown’s needs and to provide concrete solutions, Montréal, in collaboration with Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, commissioned the study “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Downtown Areas of Canada’s 6 Major Cities,” which was conducted by PwC. Learn more.
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