Montreal Slash Terrasse Permit Fees, Boosting City Core

0:00It's April 17. You're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. Montreal just slashed Terracé Permit fees for downtown restaurants and cafes to spark life back into the city core. The new rates dropped to $1.14 per square foot downtown and 56 cents on the outskirts plus a $150 base. Fee One spot on St. Catherine Street West used to shell out $11,000 a season. Now it's down to $1,400. Mayor Saraya Martinez-Ferrata dropped the news Thursday with local owners, saying high costs were killing the vibe. With all the construction downtown, she wants eateries to thrive without breaking the bank on public space permits. Owners have gripped for years about those tens of thousands dollar hits, but reactions now are all cheers. Sandra Ferrera from Ferrera Cafe called it a smart shift after past clashes like the Terracé Gate drama during Grand Prix weekend two years back.

1:02This pricing sticks around until 2030, aiming for real impact on restaurant survival amid the digs. City officials stress public safety stays top priority, just with better teamwork instead of crackdowns. Expect more outdoor spots popping up soon, breathing fresh energy into Montreal streets as these changes take hold.