C.D.N.-N.D.G. Pledges Enhanced Emergency Communication After Major Power Outage
The borough of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce has announced plans to overhaul its emergency communication protocols following a significant power outage that left thousands of residents without electricity for an extended period. During a recent council meeting, interim borough mayor Sonny Moroz acknowledged the need for improved crisis communication strategies after residents reported inadequate information flow during the blackout.
Widespread Impact of the Power Failure
The outage, which originated from equipment failure at the Hampstead electrical substation on January 24, affected approximately 15,000 homes across multiple Montreal areas including Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Côte-St-Luc, and Montreal West. Within the C.D.N.-N.D.G. borough specifically, more than 6,000 households experienced power disruptions, with about 1,600 residents enduring a full 72 hours without electricity.
The situation became so severe that approximately 100 families required emergency shelter accommodations during the crisis. Authorities are currently investigating at least two deaths involving elderly individuals, though no direct connection to the outage has been confirmed.
Communication Breakdown During Crisis
Residents expressed significant frustration with the borough's communication efforts during the emergency. One community member told council members that while many individuals worked diligently to address the situation, there was "no line of communication coming from the borough." The resident emphasized that "the information was not coordinated," leaving many without accurate updates about when power might be restored.
Mayor Moroz responded by stating, "This was truly an exceptional case and we do need to improve our best practices, particularly in terms of communication." He noted that while information remains available through the city's 311 and 211 phone lines, the borough recognizes the need for more effective communication channels during large-scale emergencies.
Infrastructure Improvements and Future Planning
In response to the crisis, the borough is implementing several measures to prevent similar situations in the future. Moroz revealed that Hydro-Québec has committed to fast-tracking replacement of the problematic substation, with completion expected by 2029. The utility had previously delayed this work due to "lack of social acceptability" concerns that have now been addressed.
The borough is also planning to install additional generators in community buildings to ensure backup power availability during future outages. Firefighters conducted extensive door-to-door safety checks during the recent emergency, though Moroz acknowledged this approach has limitations for disseminating timely information to all residents.
Parallel Infrastructure Projects Approved
During the same council meeting, borough officials approved significant funding for recreational facility upgrades. An $11-million contract was awarded for renovations to the Trenholme Sports Centre, which was originally constructed in 1960 and has been considered outdated for years.
The renovation project will include:
- Addition of new locker rooms and meeting spaces
- Installation of an elevator for improved accessibility
- Implementation of a geothermal energy system to reduce environmental impact
Moroz expressed satisfaction with the planned improvements, stating, "We've got a really good version of the project in the end and I'm really happy that it's getting done." The Trenholme Sports Centre currently ranks as the sixth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the borough, making the environmental upgrades particularly significant.
Additionally, the borough awarded a $1-million contract to replace the heating system at the Côte-des-Neiges Sports Centre, which is expected to significantly reduce facility closures. Construction on the Trenholme project is scheduled to begin in spring and conclude by the end of 2027.
The combined focus on emergency communication improvements and infrastructure upgrades demonstrates the borough's commitment to addressing both immediate crisis response needs and long-term community resilience planning.
