MONTREAL-The historic city of Quebec wants to tear down a billboard that can be seen everywhere-a modern roadside decoration. The 400-year-
The old town proposes a rule to clear large advertising panels in most parts of the Quebec capital region over the next five years.
Serge Viau, assistant director-general of Quebec City, said the billboard covered up the European buildings and stunning views of Quebec City.
"Given the goal of cleaning up the urban landscape, we decided to make these signs disappear," Viau said of the proposed changes to urban planning.
He said that in today's era of spam and email overload
There is no need to impose visual pollution on the mailbox.
"There are a lot of ways to advertise right now," Viau said . ".
"We are overwhelmed by advertisements everywhere.
But companies that own these billboards say they bring benefits to the community.
Jeannot Lefebre of CBS Outdoor said the groups created jobs and funded municipal coffers through taxes and sometimes rent.
"We don't understand," said Lefebvre, whose company has more than 100 signs in the capital, including a big ad promoting the city's 400 th birthday.
"Different industries, different sizes of industries are closed, which will cause more unemployment.
Ask a citizen if he is willing to add a $2 or 2 tax and I think he will say "no ".
CBS Outdoors will consider relocating unwanted billboards to accommodate changing urban landscapes, added Lefebvre.
Quebec City is not the first Canadian town to consider signage restrictions.
Vancouver limits the big sign on the roof, while the leafy Toronto suburb of Oakville is protecting its strict oppositionBillboard Charter.
Billboard company Vann Media Group
A few years ago, Oakville's ban was questioned, saying it violated the Constitution.
Barnet Kussner, counsel for Oakville, said the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that the city could limit the size of the logo, but that it could not be completely banned.
On January, a judge of the Ontario High Court revoked the charter.
The city has launched an appeal to hold a hearing in May.
Last year, Sao Paulo, Brazil, one of the world's most populous cities, dismantled the signboards and pulled out neon lights because it banned almost all forms of outdoor advertising.
Rami Tabello, creator of-
Billboard activist website
Ca, known as the advertising panel "city blights", can kill the nuances nearby.
"I think it's a great thing," Tabello said of the Quebec City proposal . ".
"The nature of the city and the history of the place may be something they want to protect.
If there is a French word kudos, then we will give it to them.
"Viau says changes in city planning in Quebec require a ban on setting up new panels in metropolitan areas, including 11 former towns merged a few years ago.
In five years, the company will be asked to remove the existing logo.
The city of Quebec will hold public consultations on the proposal this fall, which can be adopted as early as December.
"Of course, the companies that manage these panels are not consistent," said Viau . ".
But overall, the public responded relatively well.
At the same time, the billboard company vowed to defend its position during the consultation.
"The industry will definitely be heard," said Lefebvre . ".
"We are surprised by the position, but we will be aware of the file and state our situation.