Montreal Faces Rat Infestation, Public Transit and Waste Issues

The City of Montreal held a Municipal Council meeting recently, during which the Official Opposition questioned the Plante Administration on its commitment to render the metropolis safer, cleaner and more attractive. 

During the council meeting, members of the opposition demanded more action from the Plante Administration concerning the issue of cleanliness in Montreal. The city is facing problems with the over-piling of waste and trash cans overflowing on many streets. Leaders of the Official Opposition, Aref Salem and Chantal Rossi, stated that more work was needed for the collection of garbage around the island. 

Salem also mentioned that cuts to the Societe de Transport de Montreal needed to stop, as it was only causing more issues. 

Mayor Valerie Plante answered by insisting that the Plante Administration was committing to its mission of keeping Montreal an attractive city. Plante put emphasis on the city having succeeded to position itself as a green city, being a city focused on sustainable development through its recycling network.

When addressing the STM issue, she stated that the Plante Administration did have a plan to improve the flow of the public transit modes, automobiles, pedestrians, cyclists for all users.

Chantal Rossi answered by questioning the Plante Administration declaring Montreal a green city, when there are waste and trash issues as well as a rats problem in the metropolis.

The City of Montreal is still facing an infestation of rats, where rats outnumber Montrealers. Rats are estimated in numbers, at a five, six millions, according to Rossi. The leader of the Official Opposition called it a cleanliness and public health issue.

Plante's statements on the STM were also further questioned by members of the Official Opposition. The STM has had to put an end to its 10 minutes maximum interval bus service, as well as its five minutes maximum interval metro service.

The Official Opposition worries that more cuts await the STM's budgets and the promises made for public transportation may fall by the wayside. They mentioned that the STM's budget needs to be increased rather than cut.