Evening parking is now free in downtown Montreal for the rest of 2020

Downtown parking after 6 pm in Montreal will be free from now until the end of 2020.

Apart from offering free holiday parking on weekends, the city’s new initiative aims to rejuvenate the downtown core’s economy as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante made the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday, saying the plan will give Montrealers “more options” to safely do their holiday shopping in person, instead of online.

Usually, evening parking in downtown Montreal is free after 9 pm.

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In October, the Plante administration said the city is injecting $6 million to help businesses throughout November and December, to stimulate more localized shopping.

Plante says there is “no reason” not to shop on local streets, adding that online shopping giants aren’t the businesses that need financial help.

Je suis heureuse d’annoncer que nous étendrons la gratuité du stationnement sur rue au centre-ville les soirs de semaine après 18h et ce, jusqu’au 31 déc. La population aura ainsi plus d’options pour faire son magasinage des Fêtes, en toute sécurité. (1/3) #polmtl pic.twitter.com/LSmxM6oLg5

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) November 17, 2020

Other measures as part of the $6 million initiative include allowing merchants to extend their store hours until 10 pm on weekdays and 7 pm on weekends. The city is also extending pedestrian streets and outdoor art installations through the winter to give a more festive feel.

Plante says merchants should all continue to encourage physical distancing and reduced capacity.

“I invite Montrealers to consume locally during this holiday season. The commercial development companies and the City of Montreal are redoubling their efforts to support our merchants at this crucial time, but it is together that we will contribute to the survival of our businesses by buying locally,” concluded Plante.