Montreal is planning to revamp its nightlife, but not without first sparking some lively debate. Set for public consultation in February, the city's draft policy aims to energize its after-dark scene, drawing lessons from successful pilot projects like the MTL 24/24 all-night parties.
The "projet de politique de la vie nocturne montréalaise" centres on four principles: a phased approach to enhancing nightlife, creating specific zones for night-time activities, ensuring the policy benefits all Montreal residents with safe and inclusive access, and taking into account the views of all nightlife stakeholders.
"Nightlife offers an important lever of economic, cultural, and tourist vitality. We are proud to present this policy to Montrealers, as well as nightlife partners because they are at the forefront and best placed to raise the issues and identify priorities for action," said Luc Rabouin, head of the city's economic and commercial development.
A key focus of the upcoming consultation will be addressing the interaction between nightlife activities and residential life. The City will explore ways to balance the nighttime economy with the peace and comfort of residents living nearby. Participants will be asked to think about how to ensure nightlife activities can coexist with residential areas without causing disruption, like excessive noise or safety concerns.
The consultation will also seek input on the gradual implementation of the policy. That involves determining the initial steps to be taken in the short term and planning for the medium and long-term growth of Montreal's nightlife.
Another critical aspect will be gathering ideas on how to support businesses and cultural venues that operate at night. That includes discussing tools and resources to help these establishments thrive while maintaining a good relationship with their surrounding neighbourhoods.
The governance model for implementing and overseeing the nightlife policy will also be a significant topic. The city is looking for suggestions on how to structure it within the municipal system, what roles and responsibilities it should have, and which municipal regulations need updating to support the policy's rollout.
Health and safety are also on the agenda, with a focus on promoting safe, inclusive, and respectful nightlife environments. The consultation will look for ideas on preventing discrimination and encouraging positive behavior in nightlife settings, drawing on successful examples from other cities.
"The objective is to allow you to enjoy more of Montreal in the evening and at night," Mayor Valerie Plante tweeted, calling on Montrealers to participate in the consultation.
However, the official Opposition spokesperson on economic development, Julien Hénault-Ratelle, criticized the city's approach: “After several years of working on a nightlife policy, I deplore that the Plante administration is arriving with a working draft without a real action plan." He pointed out ongoing issues such as closures of performance halls and bars, noise complaints, lack of funding, strict regulations, and security concerns.
On the other hand, MTL 24/24 expressed satisfaction with the policy: "This policy has been eagerly awaited by the community. We'll be taking the time to analyze it, and will be providing our commentary during the consultations to be held over the coming weeks."
The Commission on Economic and Urban Development and Housing will kick off public consultations in February, with a comprehensive schedule soon to be released.
