Tourisme Montréal and a coalition of local merchants have voiced criticism over dozens of advertising columns that continue to line city streets despite being taken out of service around two years ago. The structures, which were decommissioned in 2024, remain in place and are described as unsightly by the officials and business owners who see them as a visual nuisance.
The columns were originally part of a citywide advertising network, but the program was discontinued and the fixtures were officially removed from service. Since that decision, the physical poles have not been dismantled, leaving them standing empty on sidewalks and near storefronts. Both tourism officials and merchants argue that the lingering presence of the empty columns detracts from the aesthetic appeal of Montreal's public spaces and may affect the experience of visitors and shoppers.
Tourisme Montréal, responsible for promoting the city’s image, has highlighted the issue as part of broader efforts to maintain a welcoming urban environment. Local merchants, who depend on foot traffic and a pleasant streetscape, echo the sentiment, noting that the columns contribute little beyond an unwanted visual clutter.
City authorities have not yet provided a timeline for removal, and the lack of action has kept the matter in public view for the past two years. The ongoing presence of the decommissioned fixtures underscores a gap between policy decisions and on‑the‑ground implementation, prompting calls for a coordinated clean‑up to restore the streets to their intended appearance.
As Montreal prepares for upcoming tourism initiatives, the unresolved status of the abandoned advertising columns remains a point of contention for stakeholders who seek a more polished streetscape.