With the increasing number of dilapidated heritage buildings in Montreal, Projet Montréal has decided to take charge and create a plan to safeguard vacant heritage buildings in the city of Montreal from becoming any worse.

In a statement on Wednesday, ValériePlante, the party’s mayoral candidate said “Just this year alone, we’ve witnessed six buildings with high heritage value engulfed in flames.”

Amongst the razed buildings is the old Snowdon movie theatre on Décarie Blvd. and the Robillard building in Chinatown, which was the city’s first movie theatre.

These significant structures have been victims of neglect, and as part of her campaign,Projet Montréal plans to change it.

Plante said that the incumbent mayor, Denis Coderre has shown no interest as all in trying to protect these historical buildings from falling apart into disrepair. She remarked that his lackadaisical attitude towards them is a contributing factor to their current state.

“A Projet Montréal administration would strengthen the city’s rules for heritage buildings and increase fines for owners who allow their buildings to degrade”, she said.  “Owners who continue to neglect their duties would see their properties expropriated by the city.”

The party also requested that more inspectors be hired, though not specific on the number. They also called for the creation of an electronic database of heritage buildings current lying vacant. Also, policies would be put in place to ensure that the city works with the province to subsequently increase the number of subsidies available for those hoping to restore the dilapidated heritage buildings.

Projet Montréal are advocates of sustainable urbanism. The party has made numerous proposals in a bid to foster development in an urban setting. Their commitments span across sustainable environment, culture, public services and accountability, economic development, efficient and sustainable transportation, effective and affordable housing schemes, and a host of others.