The Montreal government is facing questions after firefighters ordered several restaurants to close their crowded outdoor seating areas during a busy Grand Prix weekend.
Ensemble Montréal, an opposition group at city hall, joined in calling on the government and fire department to explain why shocked patrons were ordered to leave the Peel Street piazza at around 9 p.m. on one of the busiest Friday nights of the year.
Sandra Ferreira posted a tearful video on social media on Friday, describing how uniformed police officers arrived at her family's Café Ferreira and ordered her to clear the outdoor seating area because it was not in compliance with municipal regulations.
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She said she had some back-and-forth with inspectors in the weeks leading up to the Formula 1 race in Montreal about the placement of the patio and the tent covering it, but she thought her setup was allowed.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said the city is meeting with all parties involved to get to the bottom of what happened, but said there was clearly a big communication problem.
The Montreal Arts Council said the meeting should have taken place before city council so the public could get to the bottom of a “major blunder” that is damaging the city's reputation.
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