During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the need for more immediate action regarding street closures and safety measures in the city. Daniel, a council member, expressed concern over the timeline for studying interventions aimed at meeting climate and street safety goals, suggesting that waiting until 2027 or 2029 is too long. He pointed to successful examples from other cities, such as Montreal, which have implemented summer street closures and pedestrianized areas, urging the city to leverage existing data rather than delay action.

In response, city officials acknowledged funding limitations as a significant barrier to implementing similar initiatives. They noted that larger cities have more resources and organizational capacity to manage street closures effectively, which the smaller city currently lacks. The officials emphasized the importance of understanding community priorities and the trade-offs involved in various projects before proceeding.

Daniel also raised concerns about conflicting information regarding fire and emergency response issues related to street closures. He highlighted discrepancies between statements from the fire department and the planning department, calling for a dedicated meeting to clarify these concerns. City officials confirmed they have engaged with the fire department but acknowledged the need for further discussion to resolve the conflicting reports.

The meeting underscored the urgency of addressing street safety and the complexities involved in planning and resource allocation for such initiatives.