Local merchants are demanding a new tax to help compensate them once the new Royalmount megamall in TMR is built.
The Association des sociétés de développment commercial de Montréal - representing over 16,000 merchants - wants a committee to look into the economic impact of the new mall as well as measures to help compensate them once the mall is up and running.
The association, which presented its brief at public consultation meetings today, said that it should take part in the committee along with the cities of Montreal and TMR and developer Carbonleo.
The group said the new mall will have major impacts on local business especially downtown.
It also said in its brief that the developer has to assume its responsibilities and limit the impact on smaller businesses by helping to develop downtown and other shopping districts, adding that shopping local should be a priority for Montreal.
The association said it's time to end piecemeal economic and retail development and to come up with a global vision.