Joel Ceausu – The Suburban LJI Reporter
As February’s vote on the controversial Terrebonne bike path approaches, opponents have captured media attention around the city, allied with residents from other boroughs feeling excluded from the process, and challenged the CDN-NDG administration on its plan and consultation model.
There is also some discussion in their 400-plus-member Facebook group about electoral considerations, notably Loyola incumbent Despina Sourias and Borough Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, who won their seats in 2021 by paper-thin margins (101 and 161 votes respectively); signalling that an administration deaf to residents’ concerns will hear them come election time.
For many it’s simply the feeling they’re being ignored, and that “it’s all dictated by downtown” says long-time Terrebonne homeowner Valerie Keszey, who will be significantly impacted by the plan to eliminate hundreds of parking spots and split Terrebonne into two one-way roads with a two-way year-round bike path. “Projet Montréal and Gracia are not listening to us,” she told The Suburban. “The administration is only listening to pro-bike path constituents… Mayor Plante wants bike paths all over Montreal and Gracia has to please her boss.”
Fourteen parking spaces will go on her block alone; 14 families competing with others for spots elsewhere. “With all that parking removed and snowbanks, it’s going to be horrendous.” Keszey supports a bike lane, “but keep the parking. I don’t see any bikes on Walkley and there are two lanes. Why can’t it be like on Lacombe? Like Côte Saint-Antoine or NDG Ave.? One lane and parking on both sides?”
Noemi Sullivan supports “a” Terrebonne path, but not necessarily the current plan. Riding on Girouard near Terrebonne, she would rather see Girouard “much more protected,” than putting money and effort into a new two-way path. “For me it doesn’t matter if a path is one-way, only make it super secure with another direction on a parallel street. It spreads the hassle for residents who have cars and tenants and visitors. And the one-way road change will make it crazy for buses and schools.”
Keszey owns a car but has no driveway or garage. She bikes occasionally to the grocery store, or to downtown appointments, but feels her side of the story isn’t being heard. “It’s very frustrating for me and many people I speak to. All I see around us are ghost paths, not being used, and older residents will have to walk long distances to find their car all year long. This will screw over all those people.”
She isn’t buying any “build it and they will come” concept. “The administration might be drawing at straws to push their agenda… I don’t ride my bike in winter, nor would I try to, and most people I know wouldn’t either. So who will be using this? If they are not listening to us, then who exactly are they listening to? I know who I’m going to vote for next time. But 2025 is not coming soon enough. Please hear us. We need our cars.”
Sourias recognizes the concerns about redesign and how it alters daily life for residents, telling The Suburban her conversations with the community have involved “a range of emotions: from frustration to optimism, particularly among young families excited about improved safety. I want to assure you that my colleagues and I are not just overseeing but are deeply committed to this project. We understand the frustration felt by some, and we are dedicated to working closely with all residents and services to create a redesign that not only ensures safety, but also respects and enhances the community’s way of life on Terrebonne.”
Terrebonne resident Nora Kelly is skeptical. “It’s difficult to trust an administration that refuses to address important issues and refused to consult in a meaningful manner,” accusing Katahwa and council of ignoring problems cited in the city ombudsman’s report concerning the first version of the Terrebonne path. “Your mandate was not to operate with the tunnel vision of a lobby group but to represent the community in its entirety.” She said council is spending “extravagantly” on non-priority issues, noting CDN-NDG taxes have gone up more than the Montreal average, while “Plante’s (Ville Marie) district has gone up less than inflation. Remember Mrs. Mayor that it is the citizens that are your employers and not strictly an ideology fanned by Mrs. Plante and her lobby group.” n