Montreal municipal candidates debate greener options for Chinatown
Green space and access to recreation was a central issue for residents at Saturday's municipal election debate, where candidates from four parties went head-to-head to gain supporters within the neighbourhood.
The subject of the debate was Chinatown. Specifically, how the parties aim to address anti-Asian racism and new property development that could threaten the neighbourhood’s historic character.
About 60 people attended the debate inside the Chinese Community and Cultural Centre of Montreal.
For those who couldn't attend, a livestreamed version of the debate is available on the organizer's social media page.
Candidates from four parties attended: Balarama Holness of Mouvement Montréal, Robert Beaudry of Projet Montréal, Aref Salem of Ensemble Montreal, and Robert Souvigny of Action Montréal.
Holness, for his part, was the only mayoral candidate to attend the debate.
Each candidate offered their own takes on how to improve access to green space for those living in and around Chinatown.
“We need to address territorial disparities,” said Holness. “What that means is there are fewer green spaces in low-income areas.
“We want to make sure that access to leisure, sports, recreation, and green spaces are put in place,” he said.
Some candidates suggested more creative options to increase green space.
“Maybe closing the Ville-Marie expressway where it is and putting a park on top of it,” said Sevigny.
“We know that we cannot develop the city without having green roofs anymore,” said Salem, who pointed to urban agriculture company Lufa Farms, which has built rooftop farms in Ville Saint-Laurent, as a blueprint to what could be implemented elsewhere in Montreal.
“Every single project that’s going to pass through the city is going to have a climate risk test,” said Baudry.
On the subject of zoning laws and infrustructure, Holness pledged to repair all community buildings and sidewalks that need it. He also vowed to consult all Chinese working groups and community organizations on "anything built here."
"That will be crucial in maintaining the cultural integrity of Chinatown."
Action Montreal's candidate committed to reducing commercial taxes within the next four years, though he could not say by how much.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.