The City of Montreal announced on Thursday a grant totaling $5 million to help local merchants, social economy businesses and cultural enterprises hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The move comes as the Quebec government decided to push back the reopening of schools and businesses by one week, to May 25. “While I totally agree with this decision, since public health must come first all the time, it is all the more important to help Montreal merchants,” said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante.
Two million of the $5-million grant will go towards the creation of a fund to support merchants. “This $2 million represents direct assistance,” Plante specified. “It is not a loan.” The money, Plante said, can be used by merchants to adapt their