At the latest pre-cabinet press briefing, Frederick says the government is taking immediate steps to make space available for vendors.

The building currently housing the National Printing Corporation (NPC) is earmarked for demolition due to a weakened infrastructural integrity. In its place, he says, a vendors arcade will be constructed to house vendors.

 "For those of you who don't know, the Printery is earmarked for demolition. Given its physical condition, it is challenging from an engineering standpoint to keep this property there. It's like one of the old CDCs, if not even older…It's a structure that is almost unoccupied and what the Prime Minister said was “Why don't we build a nice arcade-like structure there; beautiful colours painted properly and newly-built for the vendors who sell in that general area,” he explained.

Frederick says these observations were made during a walk-through of the City Centre with Prime Minister Pierre on Sunday, February 11th, 2024. Since the meeting on Sunday, the MP says work has commenced to prepare the vendors for the move to the arcade.

“I can tell you those suggestions that were made yesterday are already being worked on,” he said.

Frederick says this relocation forms part of wider movements to redevelop the City Centre to make it more aesthetically pleasing and less crowded.

“The vendors unfortunately make an eyesore of the City. I don't think it's their intention, but invariably that is what happens. On a Sunday you walk the city and you realise that they leave their tools of trade hanging about. You come to the realisation that look, we can do better as a people. So in compromise, [the Prime Minister] has asked me to almost immediately start construction of some vending they started.”

The Minister adds that the government is also working on the rehabilitation and restoration of Bideau Park on Laborie Street.