Yesterday afternoon, we learned that the City of Montreal has refused to renew MTL 24/24’s funding for the year 2024, and the Plante administration is cutting our organization off. This comes two days after announcing the creation of a 24-hour zone, and investments of $1 billion over 10 years to revitalize downtown.
In addition to laying off three full-time employees, plus ending the contracts of dozens of freelancers, this decision also means, above all, we must cancel the Montreal Night Summit 2024, scheduled to take place at the Centre PHI on May 15 and 16. Political and administrative representatives from more than a dozen cities around the world were expected to join us in Montreal for this landmark event, which established our city as a leader at the global forefront of nightlife governance.
This decision shows contempt for the tireless work and energy we all invested over the past three years. By failing to earmark money for nightlife in her 2024 budget, Madame Plante demonstrates that the nighttime economy is not a priority for her administration… except during election periods.
To loudly demonstrate our discontent, we invite you to join us at the Édifice Lucien-Saulnier of the City of Montreal (155 rue Notre-Dame Est) next Monday, January 22, from 5 pm to 8 pm. We’ll have an outdoor sound system, DJs, and coffee to keep you warm. We’ll also try to address elected officials during the citizens’ question period.
Help us mobilize as many nocturnal citizens as possible through your networks! We need your support now more than ever.