La Tulipe, the storied Montreal venue on Papineau Avenue, may soon face a permanent closure following a Quebec Court of Appeal decision. The court ruled that the venue must cease all activities that generate amplified sound audible outside its walls. While the decision is rooted in Plateau-Mont-Royal’s noise regulations, it could have wider implications for Montreal’s cultural landscape.
The regulations, specifically section 9, prohibit any amplified noise from being heard outside an establishment. Les Scènes de Musique Alternatives du Québec (SMAQ) has long argued that this clause unfairly targets cultural venues, which often rely on live performances to stay afloat.
Helena Deland at La Tulipe (Steve Gerrard)
Jon Weisz, Executive Director of SMAQ, voiced concerns over the court’s ruling. “This decision by the Court of Appeal reopens a Pandora’s box for the cultural sector,” he said. “How is it possible that a single neighbour can close down a cultural institution? This regulation imposes a disproportionate burden on performance venues while neglecting the realities of urban life.”
La Tulipe, which has hosted concerts for over a century, may now be facing an uncertain future. Weisz also noted the inconsistency of the regulation’s application. “Every morning, I wake up to the incessant hubbub of the Plateau, which remains unregulated. But when it comes to music, in a city that prides itself on its cultural scene, tolerance is reduced to nothing.”
John Lydon at La Tulipe (Kieron Yates)
For years, Montreal’s entertainment industry has urged the city to update its noise regulations to reflect modern realities. Venues like La Tulipe are caught between keeping their doors open and adhering to noise laws that, critics argue, stifle the city’s creative energy.
Other cities, such as Toronto and London, have adopted the “agent of change” principle, which places the onus on new residential developments to mitigate potential noise conflicts. While these cities have taken strides to support cultural institutions, Montreal appears slower to adapt.
As inflation rises and post-pandemic challenges linger, the future of Montreal’s independent venues remains fragile. Without significant regulatory changes, La Tulipe may not be the only casualty.
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