Montréal launches business accessibility assistance program
26 janvier 2017
Montréal, le 28 février 2017 - The Mayor of Montréal, Denis Coderre, and Monique Vallée, member of the Montréal Executive Committee responsible for social and community development and homelessness, are pleased to announce the implementation of the Programme d'aide à l'accessibilité des commerces (PAAC) (business accessibility assistance program), aimed at making commercial buildings barrier free for people with reduced mobility throughout the Montréal urban agglomeration. This decision will need approval by the urban agglomeration council.
“The business accessibility assistance program will improve the quality of life of the entire community, which is a constant concern within the Montréal urban agglomeration. Helping senior citizens, persons with reduced mobility, recognizing their personal involvement and contribution to the development of our community shows respect for differences as well as highlights the abilities and potential of each member of the community,” said Mayor Coderre.
“As part of the assistance program, owners of commercial buildings and merchants may be eligible for a grant to resolve or reduce the barriers that limit the entry and exit of business premises and to carry out construction work to improve traffic inside the premises and accessibility to sanitary equipment. Therefore, optimizing accessibility to businesses and services throughout the urban agglomeration is an important issue in order to provide an inclusive living environment for all residents,” said Monique Vallée.
Program financing involves a total budget of $1.6 million. The distribution of grant payments is based on a forecast of approximately 40 projects annually. The estimated amount of the grants would be $300,000 annually, from 2017 to 2021, and $100,000 in 2022. The responsibility will lie entirely with the urban agglomeration, because it involves business assistance which is under agglomeration responsibility, in accordance with the Act respecting the exercise of certain municipal powers in certain urban agglomerations.
Eligible repairs The following repairs aimed at making a building or its amenities barrier free would be eligible:
• Replacing a door giving access to the building, from the public way to the commercial premises. • Installing an electrical door opener giving access to the building, from the public way to the commercial premises. • Installing a bevelled-edge grade • Installing a ramp or lift platform • Carrying out work to improve indoor traffic, including levelling floor, widening doors and fitting rooms, installing elevator or lift platform. • Carrying out work to facilitate access to sanitary appliances in customer rest rooms. • Replacing toilets.
The program proposes a grant equal to 75% of the cost of eligible work, without exceeding $10,000. The owner or tenant of a building or portion of a building where commercial activities are conducted could receive a grant under this program, to offset the cost of the eligible work, by submitting an application before December 31, 2020. Once eligibility has been confirmed, the applicant must carry out the repairs within 12 months.
For more information on the Programme d'aide à l'accessibilité des commerces (PAAC), please see the “Programmes municipaux” section at ville.montreal.qc.ca/affaires.