There's a freeze in the city of Montreal, but it's got nothing to do with battling the sweltering heat.
On Thursday city officials announced $50 million in budget cuts for 2010, and a budget freeze for 2011.
Executive Committee member Alan de Sousa says the city does not have the money it expected to have at this time of year, so it is sending letters to every department, and to all boroughs.
The political people responsible and managers responsible will have until the end of the month to come up with ways to save 1% of budgets before the year is over, which will add up to $50 million.
No budgetary increase is being allowed for next year, and that is expected to save another $400 million across the city, including public works, the police department, the fire department, and the STM.
"That plan might range from using attrition, from looking at overtime, determining whether you should be going ahead with certain projects that might be discretionary," said De Sousa. "Things like reducing consultancy fees on particular projects."
Despite the cuts, the central city is promising that services will be maintained.
De Sousa also said that he recognizes that citizens cannot afford to pay more than they already do.
