Rodeo will not be an annual event: Coderre
One rodeo was apparently enough for Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre. After the fourday NomadFest Urban Rodeo ended on the weekend, some media outlets reported the controversial event might return to the city next year. Coderre was asked about that idea on Monday. “I don’t know who said that — nobody has wanted to make this an annual event,” Coderre said, before cutting off a news conference. Asked if that meant there would be no rodeo next year, Coderre spokesperson MarcAndré Gosselin said: “The mayor was clear at the news conference.” Animal rights activists protested outside the rodeo, suggesting it contributed to animal discomfort, mistreatment and cruelty. Part of Montreal’s 375th anniversary celebrations, the rodeo featured bull riding and country music concerts between Thursday and Sunday at the Old Port of Montreal. Organizers of the 375th-anniversary activities said they decided to include a rodeo to infuse “a bit of country” into the celebration. There was a rodeo at Expo 67, Coderre has noted, and the city used to play host to a rodeo every 10 years.
Hearings planned for Faubourg Contrecoeur
Montreal’s Office of Public Consultations has scheduled hearings aimed at amending the development plan for the Faubourg Contrecoeur. The hearings are taking place at the behest of the borough of Mercier-HochelagaMaisonneuve, which argues a 10-year-old bylaw passed by city council concerning the development of the Contrecoeur site needs to be updated. Since the original bylaw — which dealt with the construction, development and type of buildings permitted at the Contrecoeur site — passed only after public consultations, any amendment would also require public input. The borough contends the regulations passed 10 years ago no longer reflect the urban context in the district. The original version of the bylaw allowed for a commercial and residential project that consisted of more than 1,800 units, commercial space, a bicycle path and park. The consultation process will begin Sept. 13 with an information session. On Oct. 11 citizens will be able to express their opinions and make recommendations on any possible changes. The Contrecoeur site is bounded by Sherbrooke St. E., the borough of Anjou, JacquesPorlier and Eugène-Achard Sts. and the Lafarge quarry in Montreal East. Frank Zampino, the former No. 2 politician at city hall, former construction magnate Paolo Catania and four former executives with Catania’s firm, Construction Frank Catania et Associés Inc., were arrested on fraud and conspiracy charges in connection with the Contrecoeur sale in 2012. The trial began in February 2016.
Motorcyclist seriously injured in collision
A 33-year-old motorcyclist was in hospital being treated for serious injuries after he and his bike were struck head on by a car on Notre-Dame St. E. early Monday morning. The incident occurred at about 6:10 a.m. when the car, heading east on Notre-Dame St., for some reason drifted into the westbound lanes, his car striking the motorcycle head on. The motorcyclist was rushed to a hospital suffering serious injuries, while the 35-year-old driver of the car was treated at the scene for nervous shock. Police reported later that the motorcyclist’s life was out of danger.