With one of the largest territories in Montreal, the teams of Mercier—Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (MHM) have a lot of work this spring. Indeed, there are 576 kilometers of streets, 488 kilometers of sidewalks, 65 kilometers of bike paths, 17 kilometers of commercial alleys, 57 parks, 128 green spaces, 818 green bump-outs, 40,000 trees, and 750 garbage bins.

Climate change has prompted the administration to start cleanup operations earlier, with an increase in staffing. "We are working with our teams so that cleanliness operations take place earlier in the spring. Generally, it is rather in April that we start, but we know that, with the climate crisis, weather changes are more frequent," explains Pierre Lessard-Blais, mayor of MHM. Moreover, street sweepers will also be put into operation starting in mid-March, weather permitting.

Thanks to a new envelope of $1.5 million, MHM will be able to add six blue-collar workers dedicated to cleanliness during the day, evenings, and weekends. In total, 135 employees and 75 devices will be deployed for this major spring cleaning.

Additionally, another program from the City of Montreal will ensure the addition of 1,700 hours to the cleanliness brigade.

The goal is to extend the service on Hochelaga Street in Mercier-East, as well as to prolong the operating period on Ontario and Sainte-Catherine Streets in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve by two months, from March to October.

The brigade will focus on picking up litter from the ground and emptying street bins.