The economic crisis is taking a toll on the city of Montreal.
Ren�e Sauriol, a spokesperson for Mayor G�rald Tremblay, has confirmed to CTV Montreal that the administration is looking for ways to cut back on spending, to address an "unexpected" $100 million hole in its budget.
The city has been trying to cut back an additional $300 million, since 2006.
Benoit Labont�, leader of the official opposition at city hall, accused of the administration of bad financial planning.
"They have chosen to ignore the situation and now they are stuck with the problem, of course," said the Vision Montreal leader.
Lawrence Kryzanowski, a finance professor at Concordia University's John Molson School of Business, said the city's spending has been out of control.
"They're spending like crazy. I had a quick look, and it's almost $750 million for capital infrastructure," he said.
But some frustrated Montrealers told CTV Montreal's Caroline van Vlaardingen they haven't noticed any improvement in the city's roads, sewage systems and other infrastructure.
"It's hard to see any signs of over expenditure in Montreal," said one man.
"Especially when you travel and see other countries where the infrastructure is so much better than it is over here," said another woman.
Among other cost-cutting measures, city hall may prolong a hiring freeze.
Members of Montreal's executive committee need to come to a consensus before any final decisions are made.
The next Montreal executive committee meeting is on Wednesday.
