Tourism Minister Proulx says she is ashamed of series of fails at Montreal’s Grand Prix

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QUEBEC — Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx said Wednesday she is ashamed at the way events unfolded last weekend at Montreal’s Grand Prix.

Conceding there were things she could not control such as the restaurant terrasse fiasco on Peel Street, Proulx nevertheless said as minister her job is to attract events and tourists to Montreal and ensure they are happy.

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What she witnessed on the weekend did not impress, Proulx said arriving for the weekly meeting of the Quebec cabinet.

“I was ashamed,” Proulx said. “I was quite ashamed and I have had some conversations with some people and we will have more in the coming days.”

Some of the incidents, such as the rainy weather and a protest that sparked a snarl on the bridge to Île Notre-Dame, made headlines but others emerged only after the race was over.

The Quebec racing magazine Pole Position documented them in a long article published Monday.

The magazine reported major communications problems between organizers and the Montreal police, which impeded the departure of thousands of people from Jean-Drapeau Park after events on Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, at the same time as racing fans were trying to get off the island, other fans who wanted to attend a Pitbull concert (which was eventually cancelled) were trying to get on, the magazine reported.

Given the heavy rain, there was heavy flooding in several driving paddocks and a parking lot was transformed into a field of mud. There was also flooding into the media cabins where broadcasters were working, something that also happened in 2022 but was supposed to have been fixed.

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Some fans were also turned away Friday at the gate of the event based on erroneous information.

The magazine reported the race commissioner went so far as to haul in the promoter of the event to explain the incidents.

But Proulx, who was on site for the event both Saturday and Sunday, got word of the problems fast.

“Yes I am ill-at-ease and I did not like what I witnessed this weekend,” Proulx said. “I don’t feel good. I don’t feel comfortable at all.

“I am very ashamed of the international image and that of Montreal. I remind you the government of Quebec is the main supply of funding to the Canadian Grand Prix. I expect everyone to work for us to have the best grand prix.

“My job as minister is to bring tourists to Quebec. The image of Quebec, image of Montreal … it’s my job to ensure they are perfect internationally, particularly in an event like the Canadian Grand Prix there are a billion viewers (tuning in).”

Proulx, however, would not comment on the forced closing Friday of four restaurant terrasses on Peel Street by the fire department. The city has opened an investigation into the incident involving the fire department. Two employees have been suspended pending the outcome.

She was also asked to comment on reports that the traffic in Montreal was so bad — to and from the race — that some star racing drivers were late.

“There was congestion in Montreal,” she said. “I invite you to address yourselves to the mayor of Montreal (Valérie Plante).”

In 2024, the Quebec government contributed $5.4 million to hold the Grand Prix event. Ottawa and Montreal also contribute.

pauthier@postmedia.com

twitter.com/philipauthier

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