The Mayor of Montreal on Wednesday defended city officials’ actions amid allegations that the Ville-Marie Borough approved the installation of rooms without windows.
Posted at 12:04 p.m
Valérie Plante welcomed the opening of a public forensic investigation into the fatal fire at Place D’Youville, but at the same time exonerated the officials responsible for issuing permits in the center of the metropolis.
“The work of the inspectors in Ville-Marie and in the different districts corresponds to their responsibility. It’s important for me to mention that,” she said. “All processes have been carried out and followed. »
The opening of the coroner’s public inquiry is “a good thing,” she added. “We want that to never happen again. »
Le Devoir revealed last week that at least four residential buildings in Old Montreal have received development permits from the Ville-Marie district, including the development of windowless spaces. This applies in particular to the basement of the Hôtel Hygie on Rue Notre-Dame.
Valérie Plante urged anyone offered to stay in a dangerous hotel room to report the situation to the City of Montreal.
“Have them notify 311 immediately, immediately, immediately,” she said, while noting the existence of certain exceptions to the building code. “If there are people who have any doubts, there is absolutely no way they can compromise their health and safety and they should reach out to the community. »
The Mayor of Montreal also announced the launch of an inspection campaign for old buildings in partnership with the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). “We have a shared responsibility for inspection,” she stressed on many occasions. “We’re going to go around and say: This works and this doesn’t work. »