C.D.N.-N.D.G. Borough Calls for Public Accountability from Hydro-Québec
The Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough is formally requesting that Hydro-Québec hold a public post-mortem meeting to address the severe power outage that occurred in January, which left residents without electricity during the coldest weekend of the year. This demand comes as part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and prevent future incidents.
Outage Details and Community Impact
The outage, triggered by an equipment failure at an electrical substation in Côte-St-Luc, affected approximately 15,000 homes at its peak. In C.D.N.-N.D.G. alone, more than 6,000 households experienced power losses, with many enduring up to 48 hours without electricity. The borough and the Red Cross responded by opening warming centers and emergency shelters to assist vulnerable residents.
Authorities are investigating at least two deaths involving elderly individuals, though it has not been confirmed if the outage directly contributed to these tragedies. The uncertainty surrounding restoration times added significant stress and confusion for affected communities.
Borough's Motion and Demands
Interim borough mayor Sonny Moroz will table a motion at Monday's council meeting to formalize these requests. In an interview, Moroz emphasized the need for clear transparency and concrete actions from Hydro-Québec.
"We want to make sure residents know that what happened on Jan. 24 and afterwards will never happen again," Moroz stated. "A public meeting could allow residents to understand exactly what went wrong and address Hydro-Québec leaders directly about the measures being taken."
The motion also calls for expedited work to strengthen the local electrical grid, including replacing the aging substation, and the establishment of a more sophisticated communication system for future emergencies.
Hydro-Québec's Response and Ongoing Projects
In response, Hydro-Québec has stated that it does not intend to hold a public post-mortem meeting. However, the utility affirmed its commitment to engaging with impacted communities through information sessions about ongoing and upcoming work.
Spokesperson Paule Veilleux-Turcotte noted in an email that Hydro-Québec is already working on grid reliability until a new substation, scheduled for completion by 2029, is operational. The project, planned since 2018, has faced delays due to public consultations and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Broader Implications and Future Steps
Moroz highlighted that elected officials have held two meetings with Hydro-Québec since the outage, describing them as respectful but insufficient. "We want an actual, concrete plan to ensure this doesn't happen again," he added, stressing the need for preventive measures beyond mere words.
The borough itself has faced criticism for its communication during the outage and has pledged improvements. This incident underscores the critical need for robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness in urban areas, particularly as climate-related extremes become more frequent.
