Vision Zero in snow removal operations: Jessica Holman-Price's mother supports Projet Montréal

MONTREAL, Jan. 22, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Projet Montréal is honoured to have the support of Jeannette Holman-Price in its quest to have Vision Zero principles applied to snow removal operations in Montreal. "During a snow removal operation in Westmount in 2005, Jessica Holman-Price died while saving her brother's life from an approaching truck. Since then, her mother, Jeannette Holman-Price, has been fighting relentlessly to ensure that no one ever dies again because a heavy vehicle isn't equipped with safety devices. Her support for our motion is valuable in confirming the importance of this fight", said Valérie Plante, leader of the Official Opposition.

In a motion to be tabled at tomorrow's session of City Council, Projet Montréal is asking that the City of Montreal demand that its contractors and its snow removal teams use only vehicles equipped with safety equipment such as convex mirrors, cameras, and side bars. This request is in line with The Jessica Campaign, whose mission is to ensure side-bars are installed on all trucks in the country. "Never again should someone die under the wheels of a truck because of the lack of lateral protection. Jessica's death must not be in vain. Things have to change. That is why I am very happy to see that Projet Montréal is carrying this fight to City Council. After the experiences of the past 11 years, I can see no reason for any of Montreal's city councillors to deny this motion. Montrealers and visitors should demand the city adopt these proven life saving measures. We know they work", said Jeannette Holman-Price.

"It is unacceptable that in 2017, we just sit by and watch while people get killed – when we know these deaths can be prevented. Jeannette Holman-Price has been leading an inspiring fight over the last ten years, and this fight must lead to changes. We need to act now so that no more deaths or serious injuries occur during snow removal operations in Montreal", added Valérie Plante.

In his report published in 2010, Mr. Luc Malouin, of the Bureau du coroner, recommended that the City include, in its requirements for snow removal contractors, the contractual obligation to install safety devices, such as convex mirrors, cameras and side-bars. These recommendations have been implemented successfully by the City of Westmount for over eight years. But in Montreal, nothing has been added to the contract specifications, and contractors and subcontractors continue to use vehicles that have none of these safety devices. "We hope that Council will support us so that the situation can be corrected at last", concluded the leader of Projet Montréal.

The motion for a Vision Zero in snow removal operations can be read here: http://bit.ly/vision-zero-snow-removal.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Opposition officielle à l'Hôtel de Ville de Montréal

Marie-Eve Gagnon, Chief of staff, City of Montreal - Official Opposition, 514 872-0247 / 514 516-3120, [email protected]

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