Dogs on leashes to be allowed on Montreal's Metro by end of the year
Montreal City Council has voted unanimously to allow leashed dogs onto the Metro by the end of 2022.
Opposition party Ensemble Montréal first proposed the idea a few weeks ago following an online petition by the Montreal SPCA that was signed by more than 17,000 people.
"This change in the bylaw would meet a need, while allowing the STM to build customer loyalty," said Ensemble Montreal leader Aref Salem. "For Montreal to become a truly pet-friendly city, this is the next step."
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) currently only allows guide dogs on leashes or pets in cages on its transit system.
“Guardians of large dogs are not allowed to take the Metro and, therefore, that restricts their access to large parks, green spaces, and it also restricts access to veterinary care," pointed out Sophie Gaillard, the SPCA's legal services director.
She argues low-income dog owners are the most affected by their inability to take public transit with their pets.
“We hear from people who would like to benefit from our community programs, like our low-cost spay-neuter clinic, but they simply can't because they can't bring the dog on the Metro and get to the SPCA,” Gaillard said.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has already expressed her support for the idea of dogs on the Metro, suggesting that it should be tested out with a pilot project first.
It is now up to the STM to establish the parameters of the project, taking into account those who have health issues, such as allergies or phobias.
One of the possible suggestions is to allow dogs on the Metro only at certain times of the day or in designated cars.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.