Merchants warn new metres are changing how customers and staff use Sherbrooke St.
Business owners along Sherbrooke Street in the Notre‑Dame‑de‑Grâce sector are reporting growing frustration after about 250 parking metres were installed in mid‑May, saying the change has made short‑term stops for customers and loading activities for employees more difficult.
The borough of Côte‑des‑Neiges—Notre‑Dame‑de‑Grâce first announced a plan in March to add 447 metres between Grand Boulevard and Claremont Avenue to “improve the availability of parking and support the economic vitality of Sherbrooke St.” Following public backlash the borough cancelled nearly 200 of those proposed metres at the end of April and went ahead with installation of the remainder between Wilson and Claremont Avenues, including some cross streets east of Décarie Boulevard. The new metres became operational after a grace period.
Local owners cite operational problems and lack of consultation
Merchants here say the rollout was too fast and poorly communicated. Evelyn Couture, co‑owner of the Döghaus pet supply store, said she struggled to find free parking and was surprised by how the decision was made.
“It happened very quickly. I guess what I was most upset about is that the decision was made; they didn’t consult anyone.”
Sonia Park, owner of flower shop Art et Fleurs, told media the metres complicate deliveries and that customers have already complained, even as she acknowledged one benefit: metres may discourage all‑day parking outside her storefront.
What merchants say they are dealing with
- Difficulty finding free short‑term parking for customers and staff;
- Complications for loading and unloading merchandise and deliveries;
- Frustration over the speed of the decision and perceived lack of consultation.
Some business owners question whether permit parking on side streets — an idea reportedly discussed by borough officials — would further restrict access, potentially compounding their concerns about customer convenience and employee parking.
Numbers at a glance
| Planned metres | 447 |
|---|---|
| Metres cancelled | nearly 200 |
| Metres installed (approx.) | 250 |
City and borough officials framed the metres as a tool to increase turnover and support local commerce by freeing spaces that had been occupied for long periods. Merchants, however, say the immediate effect has been increased difficulty for customers trying to make brief stops and for staff transporting goods to and from storefronts, particularly where nearby construction already reduces available spaces.
For Sherbrooke residents and business owners watching municipal decisions, the episode highlights tensions between parking management policies and the practical needs of street‑level commerce. The dispute may influence future consultations on parking in adjacent sectors and underscores the challenge of balancing access, turnover and local business realities when implementing city‑scale changes.
