For Realistic, Safe and Climate-Smart Urban Investments in Montreal
📢 NEW INITIATIVE UNDERWAY
In addition to this petition, an official letter has been sent to Councillor Émilie Thuillier to denounce the lack of transparency and the real-life impacts of the Henri-Bourassa project.
By signing this petition, you're also lending your name in support of this citizen-led letter.
*********
We, residents of Montreal — especially those in Ahuntsic-Cartierville — are calling for an immediate moratorium on the Henri-Bourassa boulevard redevelopment project, along with a serious re-evaluation of how public funds are being invested.
This project, initially presented as a $30 million initiative focused mainly on greening medians and adding bike lanes, has resulted in two years of noisy, invasive, and poorly coordinated work. It has worsened traffic, degraded our quality of life, and created unsafe conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.
Worse still, recent figures show that the real cost already exceeds $76 million, with that amount covering only two segments of the project. No full cost breakdown or clear timeline has been provided to residents. For a project of this scale, such a lack of transparency is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, our residential streets are falling apart: crumbling sidewalks, giant potholes, and dangerous intersections with no proper signage (e.g. Fleury and St-Denis). Simple, low-cost safety measures could be implemented right away.
Access to several daycares located on Henri-Bourassa has also become nearly impossible. Children, parents, and educators are now surrounded daily by noise, dust, blocked walkways and constant vibrations — in places where they should feel most secure.
A striking example: the corner of Henri-Bourassa and St-Denis was dug up twice in less than a year, right in front of two daycares. This repeated disruption reflects a serious lack of planning and inefficient use of resources.
To make matters worse, the City itself admits that work is paused each winter due to weather, since it's too cold to pour concrete or lay asphalt. If our climate makes these bike lanes unusable for half the year, why invest so much in them on a major artery? By blaming winter for delays, the City is admitting the project’s lack of coherence.
We demand:
✅ A full review of the Henri-Bourassa project, including a public audit of its impacts, costs, and overall relevance.
✅ Immediate implementation of concrete safety measures at high-risk intersections.
✅ Strategic reinvestment in essential infrastructure: roads, sidewalks, and reliable public transit.
✅ A transparent exploration of innovative, climate-resilient solutions that serve all members of the population — including seniors, families, and those with reduced mobility.
Yes to a greener city.
But also to a safer, more logical one — built for Montreal’s real needs.
We need better priorities, smarter planning, and more responsible use of our tax dollars.
Sign and share this petition to help us demand smarter municipal priorities for our neighbourhood, and for all of Montreal.
Cristina Iacono Contact the author of the petition