Formula E's scheduled Montreal ePrix double-header, set to take place in late-July 2018, has been cancelled by city mayor Valérie Plante.
During Plante's election campaign, she said the race – agreed under former mayor Denis Coderre – would either be relocated to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve or cancelled altogether due to unpaid bills and chaos caused by road closures.
However the former isn't possible as the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is undergoing construction work on its pit and paddock complex following the 2018 Formula 1 race in June, and organisers insist the start of construction cannot be delayed to facilitate Formula E if the work is to be completed by 2019.
That and the fact the events organiser, Montréal it's Electric, has maxed out its line of credit to the tune of $9.5 million (£7m), for which the city is responsible, plus unpaid bills totalling $6.2m (£4.6m), has led to the cancellation of the event and any future races.
"Montrealers have made it clear that we can't waste their money on poorly planned projects that don't serve them," Plante said during a press conference on Monday.
"It was clear as of last May that the organisation was headed straight for a financial fiasco."
According to figures from the city, only 25,000 tickets were sold for last season's double-header, with an additional 20,000 given away for free.
It's likely the decision to cancel the race will result in financial penalties as Formula E has a three-year contract with the city to host the race.
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