The official opposition party to the City of Montreal, Ensemble Montréal, is asking the town hall to create a program to financially support independent venues that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. A request which follows the closure of the La Tulipe cabaret two weeks ago.
Published at 2:32 p.m.
“The closure of the La Tulipe cabaret and all the venues that preceded it is a reminder of how fragile their survival is in Montreal and how little is being done to protect them,” writes Julien Hénault-Ratelle, spokesperson for the official opposition in matters of economic development. Ensemble Montréal wishes not only to maintain them, but to encourage their development. »
Ensemble Montréal is also asking that the City review noise regulations in all boroughs and facilitate the issuance of permits throughout the territory. The Society for the Development of Cultural Enterprises (SODEC) offers subsidies to venues, but the criteria are so restrictive, denounces the opposition party, that in 2023, only two theaters will have been able to benefit from public aid. .
Mayor Valérie Plante reacted Wednesday afternoon to the requests made by Ensemble Montréal.
“Performance venues are extremely important,” she said. This is why we have been investing since we took office [pour] soundproof and modernize facilities so that they comply and minimize impacts on neighbors. Our program affects rooms of 3000 [places] and less. I think the opposition was talking about 1000 places or less, but we are already at 3000 places or less. I think that the opposition’s proposal affects SODEC more, which has programs to support theaters more broadly. But in all cases, we take it extremely seriously and we will continue to support performance venues. »
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