The head of a Montreal business association supports the recommendations put forth in a report by an independent committee to make the city more business-friendly.
“Our reaction to the report is really positive,” said André Poulin, president of the Association des Sociétés de development commercial de Montréal (ASDCM), which represents 15,000 businesses in Greater Montreal.
Poulin said one of the key recommendations is for the city of Montreal to reduce its own operating costs.
“One of the keys is to recognize the city still has work to do to reduce its expenses. I think it’s important because if you don’t (control) your expenses, you need more revenue. And that revenue is coming from taxes.”
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Poulin also supports a recommendation to compensate entrepreneurs whose businesses are adversely affected by construction projects.
“We understand the mayor doesn’t have the power to do that right away,” Poulin said. “But we support him to obtain those kind of powers from the provincial government.”
Poulin said many businesses face an uphill battle when streets under construction are closed for weeks and months.
“It’s really difficult financially,” he said. “It’s not only the taxes the retailers pay; they also suffer when they lose business for many weeks and months. So we need financial support to help them get through major construction works.”
Poulin isn’t holding his breath city will reduce business taxes.
“It’s really difficult to reduce taxes,” he said. “If they reduce taxes for businesses, they’ll have to have a big increase for residential (property owners). So it’s difficult to manage.”
Poulin would prefer the city put a drag on tax increases and reduce red tape for businesses. He said city boroughs each have their own bylaws, creating a patchwork of regulations across Montreal.
“It’s more complicated to do business in Montreal than other cities around Montreal, or other cities in Canada,” he said.
Charles Abitbol, owner of the Boutique Olam clothing store on St-Denis St., said business taxes are “outrageous” in Montreal.
“It’s beyond our understanding,” he said. “We want to participate in the city, for sure. But we can’t have all the fiscal weight on our shoulders.
He said road construction on St-Denis has hurt business and he would welcome “a break” on his taxes.
“Definitely, because we pay to be in business. Why should we pay if we can’t do business?”
