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Montreal Gazette
26-05-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Montreal ‘proud of our pedestrian streets,' Luc Rabouin says
Montreal's summer pedestrian streets are back for 2025, with some already open for the season. This year's slate is almost identical to the 2024 project, with no new additions, though Plaza St-Hubert will remain open to cars after its pedestrianization plan was scrapped in February. Last September, the city committed to fund summer pedestrian streets for three more years, cementing a framework that keeps cars off some commercial streets with the support of local commercial development corporations (CDCs). While the city dropped the Plaza St-Hubert plan after 60 per cent of local business owners voted against it, Plateau-Mont-Royal borough mayor Luc Rabouin maintained that the remaining streets still enjoy widespread support. 'No commercial street tried pedestrianization and didn't decide to redo it, except for one,' said Rabouin, who also sits on the city's executive committee. He called Plaza St-Hubert 'the exception that proves the rule.' Four years after the project began, 'we are now proud of our pedestrian streets,' Rabouin said. 'We're no longer asking ourselves whether it works or not. It works.' Nine streets are slated for pedestrianization this summer: Mont-Royal Ave. between St-Laurent Blvd. and St-Denis St. from May 26 until Oct. 16 and between St-Denis St. and De Lorimier Ave. from May 26 until Sept. 4. Duluth Ave. E. between St-Laurent Blvd. and St-Hubert St. from June 16 to Oct. 16. Wellington St. between 6th Ave. and Regina St. from June 2 to Sept. 19. Ste-Catherine St. E. between St-Hubert St. and Papineau Ave. and a short stretch of St-Christophe St. between Ste-Catherine St. E. and 1278 St-Christophe St. from May 15 to Oct. 14. St-Denis St. between Sherbrooke and Ste-Catherine Sts. from June 14 to Sept. 15. Émery St. between Sanguinet and St-Denis Sts. from June 14 to Sept. 15. Ontario St. E. between Pie-IX Blvd. and Darling St. from June 16 to Sept. 12. Bernard Ave. W. between Wiseman St. and Bloomfield St. from May 24 to Sept. 21. De Castelnau St. E. between St-Denis St. and de Gaspé Ave. from May 12 to Nov. 7. 'A pedestrian street is a lot more attractive than a street with constant intense traffic,' Rabouin said at a Villeray press conference held on the recently pedestrianized de Castelnau St. E. That street will see its temporary pedestrianization last the longest, running into November. 'You'll be able to celebrate Halloween with us,' said Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension borough mayor Laurence Lavigne. Villeray CDC general director Louis Vaillancourt was optimistic, telling The Gazette the 2024 rendition of the project had boosted business for the merchants he represents. 'This is a lot of fun for the citizens, but my mission is to make money for my people,' he said. Claire, who manages the de Castelnau St. Épicerie Loco, a boutique grocery store, was also happy pedestrianization would return. She declined to provide her last name. The store takes advantage of the pedestrian street to offer tastings to passersby, she said. 'There are a lot of events in the street, so people are passing by, they see that the door is open, they do the tastings, it attracts a lot of people,' she said. 'We're very happy with that.' Restaurant owner Rabih Rouhana, who runs Comptoir Sainte-Cécile, said he is expecting to see an increase in customers. Restaurants tend to benefit the most from pedestrian projects, said Sébastien Ridoin, the general director of Montreal's CDC association. 'Obviously terrasses on the streets help them,' he said. But the projects only work when businesses are onside, Rabouin said, adding he was under no illusion that summer pedestrian streets work in every instance. 'It's not a recipe that we should apply to every commercial street. It's a recipe that works in certain cases.' In the short term, permanent pedestrianization remains out of reach, he said. 'We are always ready to discuss the most ambitious thing we can do,' Rabouin said, but most business owners want the pedestrianization to remain temporary. This story was originally published May 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM.
Independent Singapore
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Many Singaporeans agree with WP's Kenneth Foo, who called out Mayors' ‘part-time' jobs as redundant
SINGAPORE: Workers Party candidate Kenneth Foo tackled the issue of Mayors in Singapore in a speech he made at the party's East Coast rally on Tuesday (April 29). In its 2025 Manifesto, the WP has called for the Office of the Mayor to be abolished. The party argued that the assignment of Mayors aligns with existing political divisions and many of the roles handled by the Community Development Councils (CDCs) under Mayors have already gone back to other organisations, such as the Social Service Office. The WP added that Mayors' reduced roles do not justify their high yearly salaries. 'The Mayor's office was introduced in 1997, with updated roles in 2013. Given Singapore's small size, this role is redundant and incurs a significant annual expense of $660,000. Notably, it is also a part-time role. Enhanced accountability for taxpayers' funds is required,' commented Mr Foo. In 2021, WP chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh said that there is scope for a serious review of the need to have full-time mayors, who are People's Action Party MPs appointed to run the CDCs. He added, 'Many Singaporeans are of the view that the salaries of mayors are outrageous, principally because they are not perceived to be commensurate with a mayor's roles and functions.' According to the White Paper on Salaries for a Capable and Committed Government, published in 2012, Mayors are paid an annual salary of $660,000. As MPs, they receive an annual allowance of $192,500, not including bonuses. The high price paid for mayors' salaries and allowances has been a contentious issue for some time now, as there are Singaporeans who believe that the country simply isn't big or populous enough to need mayors and that their duties are covered by other officials or agencies. There are currently five district mayors: Low Yen Ling (South West), Denise Phua (Central), Fahmi Aliman (South East), Alex Yam (North West), and Desmond Choo (North East). CDCs, established in 1997, coordinate grassroots bodies and manage community programmes, with the aim of bringing the community closer. There are five CDCs – Central Singapore, North East, North West, South East, South West – corresponding with the five districts in Singapore. At Tampines Changkat SMC, Mr Foo is up against Mr Choo, who has represented Tampines Changkat in Parliament since 2015, when it was still part of Tampines GRC. The newly created SMC was redrawn for this year's GE. Commenters on Mr Foo's speech appeared to agree with him, adding that the money paid for Mayors' salaries could have gone to better purposes. 'Voters in Tampines Changkat, please help us save some mayor's salaries,' one YouTube user wrote. 'Thanks for bringing up the Mayor issue. Seriously, it should be scrapped. Waste of taxpayers' money $660,000… the same money can be used towards helping our citizens who need more,' a Facebook user commented. One wrote that they were 'Very disappointed with the mayor for doing nothing and paid 660k using taxpayer money ,' which ' could have been used to do better things for the country.' ' YES, totally agreed. Waste of taxpayers' money. These monies would be better used to employ those who have been retrenched, the elderly, or those past retirement age,' another wrote. /TISG Read also: WP's 2025 manifesto calls for abolishing mayors, exempting essential goods from GST and reverting GRCs to SMCs
New Paper
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
GE2025: PAP's Denise Phua defends relevance of mayors amid criticism of the role
PAP candidate for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua said the roles of mayors and the Community Development Councils (CDCs) continue to be important as they serve regional roles that are separate from those of MPs or grassroot advisors. While most people know the CDC as the lead agency to come up with the CDC vouchers, the CDCs actually do a lot more than that, said Ms Phua, noting that many of the programmes are also led by the five mayors in charge of the five districts. "We operate as a regional office that does not take over the role of the MP or the grassroot advisors, but really looking at the entire district so that CDCs and the mayors are able to aggregate the needs of the district, find some common areas," she told reporters during a media doorstop interview at Upper Boon Keng Market and Food Centre on April 27. For example, in her district, the CDC runs more than 50 programmes to address the needs of residents. Ms Phua has served as the Mayor of Central Singapore District since 2014. She was responding to questions about the role of mayors, which was raised by opposition parties like the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR). In rallies on April 26, both parties had called for the abolishing of such mayor positions should they be elected. Referring to the CDCs as an "ideas bank", Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, who is helming the PAP's Jalan Besar GRC team, said that many programmes in her constituency that are targeted at vulnerable families, mid-career workers and the youth have benefited from the support of the CDC. "The profiles of our residents have changed from time to time, and when you have new resident groups moving in, it takes time to learn about their needs, understand their aspirations, and then design programmes that they will find useful," she said. "The CDCs have often stepped in to share best practices in other constituencies, so that shortens the learning curve, and allows us to learn from others what works, what does not work, and how we can actually innovate in a way that serves the residents," added Mrs Teo. Fellow Jalan Besar candidates Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah and Mr Shawn Loh also joined Mrs Teo and Ms Phua at the April 27 media doorstop. The incumbent PAP team will go head-to-head with the PAR in a battle for Jalan Besar GRC in the May 3 polls. Dr Wan Rizal also told the media that racial and religious harmony in Singapore has come a long way, and its related challenges cannot be taken lightly. The Singapore government had, on April 25, moved to block Singapore users' access to several instances of online election advertising (OEA) posted on Facebook by foreigners. These posts were made by two Malaysian politicians and a former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee who is now an Australian citizen, who criticised the Singapore government's handling of sensitive religious issues, and urged Singaporeans to vote along religious lines. PAP Jalan Besar candidates (from left) Shawn Loh, Josephine Teo, Denise Phua and Wan Rizal taking a wefie with Ms Tan Leng Hong (in red) during the walkabout at Upper Boon Keng Market on April 27. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE They, along with a Singaporean self-styled religious teacher based in Malaysia known as Mr Noor Deros, had spotlighted several opposition politicians in social media posts, including incumbent Aljunied MP Faisal Manap, who is contesting Tampines GRC this year under the WP banner. When asked for his views on recent reports over attempted foreign interference in Singapore's general election, Dr Wan Rizal emphasised that the party "outrightly rejects such interferences". "I think it's our responsibility, as good politicians, to make sure that this does not affect our politics here in Singapore. We truly believe that at the end of the day … Singaporeans must be our focus and attention as we go forward," he said. As a former mosque leader for 10 years, Dr Wan Rizal also said that his approach has always been to serve both the Malay/Muslim community and the broader community. "I think that is how we should view religion in Singapore, it is actually a way to uplift and help one another in Singapore, and we should see it in that context rather than just a very myopic way of just focusing on one community over the other," he added. Building on that, Ms Phua said that the five-year Jalan Besar Masterplan that they hope to implement is a plan "for all", and includes both public and private residents. "When we say we have plans for Jalan Besar GRC, we are looking at a Jalan Besar for all, regardless of age, abilities, home - whether in public or private estates - and backgrounds. We are excited about being given a chance to build an even more vibrant, sustainable town, and definitely a more caring community for all," she said. Political newcomer Mr Loh also shared his experience on the ground, saying that "every single handshake, every smile, every word of encouragement, every word of support" is important. "I think it's a reflection of the good work that the team has done in the past, and it's a reflection of the good work that we will continue to do if we get elected into Parliament," he said.
Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: PAP's Denise Phua defends relevance of mayors amid criticism of the role
PAP Jalan Besar candidates Shawn Loh. ;Josephine Teo, Denise Phua and Wan Rizal taking a wefie with Ms Tan Leng Hong, 60 during the Walkabout at Upper Boon Keng Market on April 27, 2025 . ST Photo : Desmond Wee. The Straits Times SINGAPORE - PAP candidate for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua said the roles of mayors and the Community Development Councils (CDCs) continue to be important as they serve regional roles that are separate from those of MPs or grassroot advisors. While most people know the CDC as the lead agency to come up with the CDC vouchers, the CDCs actually do a lot more than that, said Ms Phua, noting that many of the programmes are also led by the five mayors in charge of the five districts. 'We operate as a regional office that does not take over the role of the MP or the grassroot advisors, but really looking at the entire district so that CDCs and the mayors are able to aggregate the needs of the district, find some common areas,' she told reporters during a media doorstop interview at Upper Boon Keng Market and Food Centre on April 27. For example, in her district, the CDC runs more than 50 programmes to address the needs of residents. Ms Phua has served as the Mayor of Central Singapore District since 2014. She was responding to questions about the role of mayors, which was raised by opposition parties like the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR). In rallies on April 26, both parties had called for the abolishing of such mayor positions should they be elected. Referring to the CDCs as an 'ideas bank', Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, who is helming the PAP's Jalan Besar GRC team, said that many programmes in her constituency that are targeted at vulnerable families, mid-career workers and the youth have benefited from the support of the CDC. 'The profiles of our residents have changed from time to time, and when you have new resident groups moving in, it takes time to learn about their needs, understand their aspirations, and then design programmes that they will find useful,' she said. 'The CDCs have often stepped in to share best practices in other constituencies, so that shortens the learning curve, and allows us to learn from others what works, what does not work, and how we can actually innovate in a way that serves the residents,' added Mrs Teo. Fellow Jalan Besar candidates Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah and Mr Shawn Loh also joined Mrs Teo and Ms Phua at the April 27 media doorstop. The incumbent PAP team will go head-to-head with the PAR in a battle for Jalan Besar GRC in the May 3 polls. Dr Wan Rizal also told the media that racial and religious harmony in Singapore has come a long way, and its related challenges cannot be taken lightly. PAP Jalan Besar candidate Wan Rizal said his approach had always been to serve both the Malay/Muslim community and the broader community. The Straits Times The Singapore government had, on April 25, moved to block Singapore users' access to several instances of online election advertising (OEA) posted on Facebook by foreigners. These posts were made by two Malaysian politicians and a former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee who is now an Australian citizen, who criticised the Singapore government's handling of sensitive religious issues, and urged Singaporeans to vote along religious lines. They, along with a Singaporean self-styled religious teacher based in Malaysia known as Mr Noor Deros, had spotlighted several opposition politicians in social media posts, including incumbent Aljunied MP Faisal Manap, who is contesting Tampines GRC this year under the WP banner. When asked for his views on recent reports over attempted foreign interference in Singapore's general election, Dr Wan Rizal emphasised that the party 'outrightly rejects such interferences'. 'I think it's our responsibility, as good politicians, to make sure that this does not affect our politics here in Singapore. We truly believe that at the end of the day … Singaporeans must be our focus and attention as we go forward,' he said. As a former mosque leader for 10 years, Dr Wan Rizal also said that his approach has always been to serve both the Malay/Muslim community and the broader community. 'I think that is how we should view religion in Singapore, it is actually a way to uplift and help one another in Singapore, and we should see it in that context rather than just a very myopic way of just focusing on one community over the other,' he added. Building on that, Ms Phua said that the five-year Jalan Besar Masterplan that they hope to implement is a plan 'for all' , and includes both public and private residents. 'When we say we have plans for Jalan Besar GRC, we are looking at a Jalan Besar for all, regardless of age, abilities, home - whether in public or private estates - and backgrounds. We are excited about being given a chance to build an even more vibrant, sustainable town, and definitely a more caring community for all,' she said. Political newcomer Mr Loh also shared his experience on the ground, saying that 'every single handshake, every smile, every word of encouragement, every word of support' is important. 'I think it's a reflection of the good work that the team has done in the past, and it's a reflection of the good work that we will continue to do if we get elected into Parliament,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
27-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: Mayors remain important as they 'aggregate' district needs, seek resources, says PAP's Denise Phua
SINGAPORE: Mayors in Singapore do not "take over" the role of an MP or grassroots advisor, but instead function as a "regional role" as constituencies might lack the resources to tackle certain issues on their own, said Mayor for the Central district Denise Phua on Sunday (Apr 27). Ms Phua, a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for Jalan Besar GRC in the 2025 General Election, is one of five mayors in Singapore. Each mayor heads the Community Development Council (CDC) of a particular district: South West, South East, Central, North West and North East. "We operate actually as a regional office ... really looking at the entire district, so that CDCs and the mayors are able to aggregate the needs of the district, find some common areas," she told reporters during a walkabout at Upper Boon Keng Market, in response to a question about the relevance of mayors. This comes after the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) at its rally on Saturday evening called to abolish mayor positions in Singapore. The party's candidate for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Jufri Salim said mayors' salaries could be used to support seniors and students, provide housing grants and fund mental health services. Mayors earn S$660,000 (US$502,200) a year, according to a White Paper on ministerial salaries in 2012. The sum hasn't changed since. CDCs and mayors "look at some of these common needs that I think individual divisions or constituencies may not have the resources or the bandwidth to take over," Ms Phua said on Sunday. "What we do is, when we identify these pivotal needs, we go and then seek resources ... from corporates, from agencies, and then work together, strategise and make sure these programmes are developed. "And most importantly, able to be scaled across the district." She highlighted The Purple Parade - a national movement celebrating the abilities of people with disabilities in Singapore and promoting inclusion - which she said started from the Central District. "I think many people know of the CDCs as maybe the brainchild ... as the lead agency to come up with the CDC vouchers," she added. "But the CDCs actually do a lot more than that, and a lot of the programmes are actually led by the mayors." AVOID "REDUCTIONIST APPROACH" TO MENTAL HEALTH Ms Phua was accompanied on Sunday morning by the PAP Jalan Besar team comprising Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, Dr Wan Rizal and party new face Shawn Loh. Dr Wan Rizal was also asked for his take on SDP's comments from another rally - in this case, that overpopulation was one of the main reasons for mental health issues in Singapore. 'If we continue to allow the PAP to bring in more and more foreigners, our problems of mental health, cost of living, overcrowding, environmental degradation and overall quality of life are all going to worsen," party chief Chee Soon Juan said at the SDP rally on Friday evening. Dr Wan Rizal, known for advocating for mental health issues in parliament, cautioned against taking a "reductionist approach" to the topic. "If you think ... that's the only way, or that's the only problem, then I think you're not looking at the big picture, what mental health is about. But mental health is a spectrum, and I think it's important to understand," he said. He noted that mental health is not only affected by "one factor" and that each person handles mental health issues differently. But he also acknowledged that having more such views was a positive thing, as it showed Singaporeans care about well-being. "Because we can only make Singapore better through diverse views, and I think this is good to hear," he said.
