Dozens of businesses in Île-Bizard say they lost money during this summer’s Presidents Cup tournament and are demanding compensation, blaming the City of Montreal’s decision to limit access to the island’s only bridge.
Local business owner Kal Abunowara said the decision halted operations at his auto shop, Kal Auto.
“The cars that were here. We’re just sitting here waiting for parts that were never making it into the island. And the clients who called us needing our services just couldn’t get here,” he said in an interview.
At Cabanon Fortin, just a few hundred metres from the Jacque Bizard Bridge, September is the busiest time of year, but during the week of the tournament, owner François Fortin said he didn’t make a single sale.
“It’s every business… Almost every business. Fifty-two businesses of Île-Bizard [lost] money,” Fortin said. “Is it possible to put in place simple measures or compensations?”
During Monday’s council meeting, Fortin asked for compensation for business owners, arguing the traffic controlling measures were unnecessary and led directly to a loss in revenue.
The executive committee member responsible for economic development, Alia Hassan-Cournol, acknowledged the city should have consulted with local businesses before the event.
“I’m hearing the merchants. I’m hearing their need for a compensation plan. This is something I’m going to discuss with the experts of economic development, but I’m certainly not going to say if we’re going yes or no, ahead with the compensation plan not today,” she said.
The borough Mayor, Doug Hurley, said that Île-Bizard had hosted major events before, but this was the first time businesses and residents suffered this level of inconvenience.
“I’m not placing blame, but I’m saying the wrong solution was put into place for the problem,” he said.
However, the mayor stopped short of saying businesses should be compensated but noted that it should be considered.
The city said the event was an overall success that brought $60 million into Montreal’s economy.
