'Terrassegate': SIM staff will have to think about Montreal's reputation

Montreal Fire Department staff will now have to consider the consequences to the city's reputation before ordering the restaurant's terrace to be closed.

This is revealed by the new directives sent by the Fire Department to its Prevention Department, the same one that intervened to close the terraces of three restaurants on Belle Street during the Montreal Grand Prix.

From now on, those who will inspect city restaurants to prevent fire risks will “have to appreciate the potential regulatory risks incurred by the city.” [réputationnels et légaux] Depending on the urgency of the action and the context,” according to the memo sent on June 14.

Employee status

According to several sources consulted by our Bureau of Investigation, employee “zeal” would be involved in closing the downtown stands. The latter, on site during the Grand Prix, was identified by two colleagues and two restaurateurs as a preventive who causes problems for traders with his “arbitrary and baseless” decisions.

“He wants to enforce the law downtown,” says one of his colleagues.

According to our sources, SIM management could take disciplinary measures against this preventive measure before the end of the internal investigation launched by the City of Montreal on the sidelines of this case.

Hands tied

Many SIM employees believe that all preventionists will pay for the adventures of just one of them.

In the future, any decision that might raise potential controversy would have to be approved by the fire chief himself, while staff would have to act “based on urgency and context” in accordance with these same documents.

These guidelines apply only when the situation is not urgent to avoid repeat grandstand closures during Canada's largest tourism event.