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
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Evacuation orders lifted in Fort McMurray Saturday as rain dampens wildfire activity
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs abuse allegations: A timeline of key events
In the six months since singer Cassie filed a lawsuit against Sean Combs, a wave of similar cases and public allegations against one of the most influential music moguls of the past three decades have occurred.