Projet Montreal unveils accessibility plan, opponents not impressed
Projet Montreal leader Valerie Plante said Saturday that, if elected on Nov. 7, her team will kick her party's universal accessibility plan into high gear.
Her Ensemble Montreal rivals, however, say she's had more than enough time and is lagging.
Projet Montreal said it will accelerate its in-progress plan to install elevators in metro stations and develop universally accessible parks, adding that ableism was added to the Montreal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities.
In the next four years, Projet Montreal says it will offer delivery services for people with disabilities and functional limitations, create a directory for universally accessible businesses, and ensure that universally accessible city-subsidized social and community housing projects are publicized.
The party added that 14 more universally accessible metro stations will be up and running within four years.
Ensemble Montreal Lachine borough mayoral candidate Lise Poulin uses a wheelchair and called the announcement a step backward.
"While the STM planned to have 41 universally accessible metro stations by 2025, the Plante administration is announcing this morning a two-year delay in the implementation of the STM's universal accessibility plan," she said. "It is amazing to hold a press conference to announce such a setback."
Poulin pointed out that Montreal's ombudsman's office received more than 300 complaints about Plante's safe active lanes that were installed in summer 2020.
Plante said her party has worked hard to ensure every citizen in the metropolis has access to barrier-free environments.
"We have worked tirelessly to provide Montrealers with a more accessible and inclusive city and universal accessibility will continue to be a priority for Projet Montréal over the next four years," she said. "We are determined to take concrete action to improve the city's architectural and urban accessibility and to ensure that everyone has equal access to programs, services, employment and communications."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.