West Island power outages: MNA says Hydro Quebec open to holding information sessions to discuss the problem
After a myriad of complaints about power failures in Montreal's West Island, a meeting was held between the area's MNAs and Hydro-Quebec.
Greg Kelley, the Liberal MNA for Jacques-Cartier, says the issue isn't exclusive to the West Island, but the area is experiencing repeated outages – and he's been hearing from frustrated residents in his riding.
"They just lose power whenever the wind blows, is what they would write to me," Kelley said.
It's one of the reasons he and Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas wrote a letter to Hydro-Quebec CEO and President Michael Sabia to request a meeting.
"This really came about after the last ice storm last spring," said Kelley. "People in my riding lost power for a couple of days, and they really wanted to know from Hydro what's going on with the network?"
The meeting was held Friday morning with a Hydro-Quebec representative for the Island of Montreal and Liberal MNAs Enrico Ciccone, Monsef Derraji and Brigitte Garceau, along with Kelley.
The MNAs would like to see a series of public information sessions across the West Island where experts from Hydro-Quebec would take questions, explain what improvements will be made to the grid, and respond to calls to possibly bury power lines in some areas.
Hydro-Quebec is open to the idea of public information sessions after Friday's meeting, according to Kelley.
"I'm very encouraged by their openness," he said.
In a statement to CTV News, the public utility said the meeting was "well-received."
"Hydro-Québec agrees that the quality of service and our communications with customers must be improved…We agreed to maintain our collaboration and pursue discussions. In addition, we reassured them that better informing our customers is a priority and that we would be taking action to this effect," the statement read.
The statement added that 2023 was a particularly difficult year for Montreal, partly because of the effects of the spring ice storm and the summer forest fires elsewhere in the province.
It also said part of Hydro-Quebec's action plan is to spend up to $50 billion dollars between now and 2035 to make the power grid more durable over the long term.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police make arrests in killing of B.C. Sikh activist, source confirms
Police have made arrests in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a senior government source has confirmed to CTV News.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.