The city of Montreal is looking in to the possibility of transferring parking meter revenues to the boroughs. amounting to a possible $50 million in decentralized dollars.
Despite denials by the city, Project Montreal leader Richard Bergeron said Monday it is considering the news a coup.
"I was a bit surprised how easy it was accepted by my colleagues and by Mayor Tremblay," said Bergeron.
Tremblay's office, however, will not confirm the deal, instead suggesting the concept is in negotiations.
"The executive committee has not taken a decision. There are several scenarios on the table. When you are tabling a budget, there are all kinds of things to look at. This is one of them," a press release from City Hall revealed Monday.
Plateau Mont-Royal's borough mayor Luc Ferrandez of Project Montreal discussed plans for the new source of income.
Though Project Montreal said it is not pushing for higher parking fees as a policy, Ferrandez has often said his goal was to reduce car traffic in the Plateau.
"There are many initiatives that we will announce in November. We hope they're intelligent, and target the people we want to target," he said.
Merchants, like Jean-Pierre Saraz at Boutique Farfelu on Mont-Royal Ave., said they are concerned at the possible meter rate increase in the borough.
"I'm against an increase. It's high enough as it is," he said.
Ahuntsic-Cartierville has announced a reduction in parking fees in its borough, again before the mayor's office has confirmed the meter revenue transfer.
