2024 – Closed terraces in Montreal

A Montreal Fire Safety Service (SIM) employee was suspended after the Peel Street grandstands were closed Friday night, in the middle of Grand Prix weekend. The SIM also launched an administrative investigation.

This was confirmed by Luc Rabouin, President of the Executive Council of the City of Montreal and responsible for economic development, at a press conference on Monday afternoon following a meeting with Peel Street traders.

“The management (du SIM) has decided to conduct an internal administrative investigation (lundi matin) into the incident. Management has decided to suspend an employee,” he announced.

On Friday evening, SIM officials forced the closure of the terraces on Rue Peel, in the middle of the Grand Prix weekend, the busiest time of the year. They argued in particular that the distance between the shops and the marquees – which allowed the terraces to remain open despite the rainy weather – was not compliant.

“This is a shock for retailers and their customers. Montreal’s image is damaged,” he said.

Despite the suspension of an employee and the opening of an investigation, neither the city nor the SIM can determine the circumstances and steps that led to the closure of the terraces.

“I am not in a position to draw any conclusions (au-delà de): ‘Something serious has happened,'” said Mr Rabouin.

A few hours earlier, Mr Rabouin had met with the restaurateurs on Peel Street and asked them for 24 hours to carry out the necessary checks for the reinstallation of the marquees. After this delay, the city will have had “all the discussions” to determine what needs to be arranged – “perhaps differently”, he admits – so that the return of the marquees can take place “in a safe manner”.

“We agree that a suspension would be a mistake,” replied Julien Hénault-Ratelle, city councillor and opposition spokesperson for economic development. His party, Ensemble Montréal, is also demanding that an analysis of Friday evening’s events be carried out “publicly” in the city council.