Coalition for Democracy Montreal
Welcome to Coalition Democracy Montreal
As of December 1st, 2025, the website is being updated.
Empowering Citizen Participation in Municipal Governance
At Coalition Democracy Montreal, we stand for the fundamental principles of democracy and citizen participation. Our mission is to uphold democratic processes and ensure that the rights of citizens are respected and protected. We believe in the power of collective action to bring about positive change in our communities
CDMTL is dedicated to fostering active participation among residents in public consultation processes at the municipal level. Our mission is to champion democratic values and ensure that the voices of citizens are heard and respected.
Supporting Democratic Initiatives
We advocate for various initiatives that promote democracy and uphold the rights of individuals. Our commitment is to facilitate open dialogue and ensure that every resident has the opportunity to engage in the decision-making processes that affect their communities.
Advocating for Community Rights
Currently, we are supporting the residents of Park Extension as they seek to address concerns regarding municipal decisions that impact their democratic rights. Our focus is on collaboration and dialogue, aiming for constructive solutions that reflect the community’s needs.
Fundraising for Community Empowerment
To assist in these efforts, we have launched a fundraising campaign to cover the costs associated with community advocacy. Contributions will directly support initiatives that empower residents to engage in meaningful discussions and actions regarding local governance.
Join Us in Strengthening Democracy
We invite you to become part of our mission to enhance democratic participation in Montreal. Your support, whether through donations or by spreading the word, plays a crucial role in empowering communities and promoting a fair and just society for all.
Read Translated Transcription
00:00 Well, the segment is called “Antique Counterattack.”
00:02 It’s like a Star Wars episode.
00:05 The Resistance.
00:08 Yeah, the real one. I spoke earlier with Martine Grisé from Vitrerie Saint-André.
00:11 In a year, she is closing and handing in her keys.
00:15 We’re coming back to that.
00:17 And since we’re talking about democracy, that’s why it’s called Coalition Démocratie Montréal.
00:21 With us is André Savoie,
00:24 owner of Boucherie Salaison Saint-André,
00:26 which has been at this address for 61 years.
00:29 Yes.
00:32 Yes, 61 years at that address.
00:33 Come closer to the microphone, we want to hear you.
00:34 Perfect. Yes, 61 years at that address.
00:37 But in reality, the Savoie family has had butcher shops and grocery stores for 150 years.
00:39 My great-grandfather was on Bureau Avenue near Parc Lafontaine.
00:42 Then my grandfather set up on Jory Street at the corner of Henri-Julien,
00:43 then later on De Gaspé,
00:45 and he bought Salaison Saint-André, which already existed, for my father in 1964.
00:49 You’re like a butcher empire.
00:51 Well, let’s say… small family butcher shops.
00:53 But with loyal customers.
00:57 Oh yes.
01:01 For me, it’s been 42 years that I’ve been active at 282 West
01:06 on Henri-Bourassa.
01:10 And I have customers — I’m now on the third generation.
01:13 It’s true, huh?
01:15 Yes, for real.
01:17 And Marc Perez, spokesperson for Coalition Démocratie Montréal.
01:19 Mr. Perez, hello.
01:21 Explain to us: what is the mission of Coalition Démocratie Montréal?
01:23 The Coalition for Democracy Montreal is an organization
01:25 that represents the needs of citizens
01:28 and ensures that citizen interests in each borough
01:31 are reflected on the city’s agenda.
01:33 But where did this organization originate?
01:36 What is its mandate?
01:39 The first mandate began with the installation — or imposition —
01:42 of bike lanes on Querbes Street in Parc-Extension.
01:45 Two young women started the whole process,
01:48 and I joined to help with fundraising, press releases,
01:50 and everything that followed.
01:53 What were you asking for at the time on Querbes?
01:55 What we were asking for was the return of parking spaces.
01:57 We wanted a fair solution for the residents living on the street,
02:01 most of whom are elderly
02:03 and need parking for mobility and for grocery deliveries.
02:10 So it’s not pickup-truck drivers who want to pollute the city —
02:14 it’s just citizens who need transportation other than bicycles.
02:16 Exactly, other than bicycles.
02:19 It’s a very elderly population.
02:21 One story broke my heart:
02:23 because of the bike lanes and parking permits,
02:26 there was an elderly lady who was supposed to receive her children for Christmas,
02:29 but they couldn’t find parking.
02:32 So her children and grandchildren came to the door,
02:35 said “Merry Christmas Grandma, here’s your gift,”
02:37 and left.
02:39 They could’ve taken a taxi.
02:41 They could have, but it’s expensive.
02:43 Grandma alone in a taxi…
02:45 I understand what you mean, Mr. Perez.
02:47 Mr. Savoie, since 2022,
02:49 the City of Montréal announced this dream project on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard.
02:53 And you know — I know — that I learned about it in the media
02:56 while eating my sandwich at lunchtime.
02:59 Yes. They didn’t even have the decency to meet us
03:01 to tell us what was coming.
03:03 That’s Ms. Thuillier, right? Projet Montréal.
03:05 Yes. Project infernal.
03:08 How has this affected you?
03:10 Earlier I mentioned the shoe repair shop that closed on December 1st —
03:14 the owner changed his life and business.
03:17 You’re aware of that.
03:18 Many businesses have been affected by that bike lane.
03:21 I would say we’ve all been affected in different ways.
03:24 There’s a breakfast restaurant on Tanguay Street.
03:28 He’s thinking of relocating somewhere else on Fleury.
03:32 But rents will be high.
03:34 Very high.
03:36 Next door there’s a big bakery equipment store — not easy for them either.
03:40 And when you understand that about 70% of the city’s tax revenue
03:43 comes from small businesses and SMEs,
03:45 you’d think they would take care of them, not put a foot on their throat.
03:49 But it’s the opposite.
03:50 Absolutely.
03:52 We spoke about this too, Mr. Savoie —
03:54 we thought that after all this media attention, there would be negotiations.
03:57 There were none.
03:59 Zero. They claim they consulted us — but that is not true.
04:03 Not at all.
04:05 At one meeting (I wasn’t there but colleagues were),
04:08 a business owner asked difficult questions
04:11 and Ms. Thuillier objected, saying:
04:13 “You’re not here to ask questions.
04:15 You’re here to receive information.”
04:18 That’s how she operated.
04:20 Do you think that cost her the election?
04:23 Very likely.
04:25 Yes, because she and her husband own restaurants
04:28 and several commercial properties.
04:30 They know entrepreneurship.
04:33 These are jobs being lost.
04:36 When businesses close, employees lose their jobs.
04:38 And now Henri-Bourassa is congested
04:40 from around 4 p.m. until…
04:43 I have a bus driver writing to me saying it’s hell
04:45 because traffic was reduced to one lane due to the bike lane.
04:48 It helps no one: cars idling, pollution, delays.
04:52 Traffic spills onto side streets.
04:55 Fleury Street — normally a charming commercial street — is now jammed.
04:59 People can’t stop to shop anymore; they must rush back to find parking.
05:03 Is there a bike lane on Fleury?
05:05 Not yet — but who knows one day.
05:08 Mr. Perez, Coalition Démocratie Montréal —
05:11 you issued a warning to the City in 2024.
05:13 Yes.
05:14 Why?
05:15 Because they did not follow proper consultation procedures.
05:18 In the Central District, a survey showed
05:20 90% of business owners said they were never consulted.
05:24 Ninety percent!
05:26 And we went door-to-door — they all say their revenue is dropping.
05:29 On Chabanel Street, many shops have closed.
05:33 And there’s a new bike lane there too.
05:35 Exactly.
05:37 What we told the City is that our first intention
05:39 is always to resolve things amicably.
05:41 The only reason we began legal action
05:43 is because the administration — like Ms. Thuillier — said,
05:45 “We won the election, so we will do what we want.”
05:48 All we asked for was fairness.
05:50 Some bike lane designs work in Verdun without removing parking.
05:53 They simply narrowed lanes and placed the protected zone differently.
05:55 But here it was imposed with no flexibility.
05:58 And we know Mayor Valérie Plante said herself
06:00 she wants to reduce car use in Montréal by 55%.
06:04 We’ve seen around 200,000–300,000 families leave the island since then.
06:08 That’s the effect of these bike lane policies.
06:10 Interesting that Soraya Martinez-Ferrada,
06:13 the new mayor as of 2025, said before the election
06:15 she would audit the bike network.
06:18 After the election she said some might be reviewed,
06:20 but not dismantled.
06:22 Are you getting strung along by Ensemble Montréal?
06:25 Please, no.
06:27 I am always positive.
06:29 I think the new borough mayor is aware of the problems
06:31 impacting both merchants and residents.
06:34 These are duplexes and triplexes; young families need cars.
06:37 They take Highway 15 to work.
06:39 They need parking.
06:41 My wife and I suggested long ago
06:43 that the reserved bus lanes could include mixed-use periods.
06:46 At first the City didn’t even want us to receive deliveries —
06:49 they told us to pick up meat deliveries at some “drop-off point”
06:51 and bring them by bike.
06:53 Pure nonsense.
06:55 How do you react to that?
06:56 It’s absurd.
06:57 Nonsense.
06:58 What do you expect? I sell meat —
07:00 beef quarters don’t fit on a bicycle.
07:03 And they accuse us of bad faith.
07:05 Terrible.
07:07 Will you send a formal notice to the City?
07:09 We’re giving them 30 days of good-faith discussion.
07:13 I’m hopeful we won’t need to sue.
07:14 But we will see.
07:16 The new mayor said we must “live together,”
07:18 everyone must find compromise.
07:21 We keep all options open.
07:23 But first we want to hear their real plan.
07:26 What exactly do you want — dismantling the bike lane?
07:29 I’m not saying that.
07:30 What I want is shared parking in the bus lane
07:33 during allowed hours,
07:35 since they finally created a pilot project for delivery trucks.
07:37 Customers should have the same option.
07:39 And signage must be changed —
07:41 right now if you don’t turn when forced,
07:43 you get a ticket automatically.
07:45 Police wait there all the time.
07:47 To conclude —
07:49 yes, if dismantling is necessary, it should be considered.
07:51 Having a bike lane on Port-Royal is dangerous.
07:55 Cyclists already have access to 6,000 km of streets.
07:58 They have access to 100% of the road network.
08:01 If changes must be made, they must be made.
08:03 The final say should belong to citizens.
08:06 If Mayor Martinez wants to truly listen,
08:09 she must pause all new bike lanes
08:11 and keep her promise to consult.
08:14 That’s all we ask. We want consultations.
08:18 I can’t believe we’re still talking about bike lanes in winter.
08:21 But it affects businesses, neighborhoods, and everyone’s daily life.
08:25 They’ve been one-directional — everything for bikes.
08:28 But people our age don’t always have good knees and hips.
08:31 And in winter, most people don’t bike.
08:34 There are bike lanes on Perras, on Gouin…
08:37 But we just need common sense.
08:40 Perfect.
08:41 André Savoie of Salaison Saint-André on Henri-Bourassa,
08:44 and Marc Perez of Coalition Démocratie Montréal —
08:46 thank you. We’ll stay in touch. Good luck.
08:48 Thank you.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Coalition for Montreal Democracy Calls for the Opening of a Dialogue Within 30 Days and Postpones Its Legal Action in a Gesture of Good Faith
Montreal, QC November 16th,— Marc Perez, President of the Coalition for Montreal Democracy (CDMTL), accompanied by the lead plaintiff and Montreal entrepreneur André Savoie, is asking Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada to suspend all new bike-path projects and to engage in an official dialogue with the Coalition for Montreal Democracy, which acts on behalf of affected residents, merchants, and community stakeholders. This request follows public statements confirming that major infrastructure decisions were made without consultation and are now potentially subject to a legal challenge regarding their procedural legitimacy.
“Montrealers deserve a fresh start that begins with listening, not with the courts,” says Marc Perez. “For nearly eight years, residents, merchants, families, seniors, delivery workers, and people with reduced mobility have been sounding the alarm, without a response. Today, we are offering one final window of good faith. We are choosing diplomacy before the courts, but we are also setting a clear timeline for accountability.”
The Coalition will officially request a meeting within 30 days of the new administration being sworn in, to begin a process grounded in consultation, accountability, and the search for collaborative solutions.
The Coalition notes that Montrealers cannot be expected to wait for a 100-day audit after more than 2,900 days of living with the impacts of unilateral urban-planning decisions. These impacts include the loss of commercial access, the elimination of parking for seniors and people with reduced mobility, economic disruptions, safety issues, delivery obstacles, and road reconfigurations imposed without citizen consent.
During the election campaign, Mayor Soraya Martinez publicly confirmed what CDMTL has long argued: that citizens were not meaningfully consulted before the transformation of their urban environment. This acknowledgment validates claims that the bike-path network and the express-bus network were imposed through what the Coalition asserts was an illegal and undemocratic process led by the previous administration.
The legal action, which will be filed in the name of André Savoie as the lead applicant, is initiated, coordinated, and fully financed by the Coalition for Montreal Democracy. It is a collective action, not a personal lawsuit.
Mr. Savoie, owner of Salaison Saint-André on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, a 61 year old institution has agreed to initiate this effort not for personal gain but to represent the thousands of citizens and merchants affected by these decisions.
“I want to be clear: I am not fighting against my city, I am fighting for my city,” says Mr. Savoie. “My business has survived recessions, economic upheavals, and a global pandemic. We should never have had to fight for access to our own street.”
He adds: “The Coalition’s legal team is ready, the case is solid, and the impacts are real. But our goal is not to win against Montreal, it is to fix how decisions are made in this city.”
Marc Perez emphasizes that the Coalition and Mr. Savoie are not opposed to sustainable transportation but to planning that marginalizes the very people who must live with its consequences.
“This is not a debate against bike paths,” he said. “This is a debate against processes that shut out the population, neglect economic survival, erase accessibility, and replace consultation with announcements. Consultation is not an administrative luxury. It is democratic infrastructure.”
During the initial rollouts of bike paths, several merchant associations, community groups, and residents warned the City that removing parking, delivery zones, and commercial access would have significant economic, safety, and social consequences. These warnings were not incorporated into planning.
Eight years later, the impacts are measurable: delivery delays, loss of revenue, collapse in customer traffic, increased congestion, obstructions for emergency vehicles, and business closures along once-vibrant commercial arteries.
By granting this 30-day period, CDMTL is not abandoning its legal action. The framework is ready, the evidence is complete, and the legal structure is in place. What remains open is the path: dialogue or the courts.
“This delay is not a step back,” concludes Mr. Perez. “It is a test for the new administration, an opportunity to prove it is ready to break with the past and choose collaboration over confrontation.”
The Coalition invites anyone affected to contact the Coalition for Montreal Democracy (CDMTL) to share their experience and contribute to fair, lasting solutions for the future of the city.
The Coalition is calling for recognition of the harms suffered, an overhaul of the decision-making process, a moratorium on any new project imposed without consultation, and the creation of binding safeguards to guarantee citizen participation.
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Contact:
Coalition pour la Démocratie Montréal (CDMTL)
Marc Perez – info@cdmtl.org – 514-963-7685
cdmtl.org
