Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position to authorize renegotiation of the next framework agreement between the City, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) and Quebec’s culture minister. The goal, as described by city staff, is to update the agreement to reflect changes in libraries and their services. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The city’s position is to authorize renegotiation and notify the parties.
- The city’s Culture, Sports and Recreation Department and its Office of Government and Municipal Relations are tasked with renegotiating the terms.
- The current agreement runs to December 31, 2026. Staff say notice is needed to avoid the same terms being renewed for five years starting January 1, 2027.
- Staff’s calendar says a new agreement is expected to be signed in 2027. This decision does not set its terms.
What it means for you#
- BAnQ and the culture minister: They are to be notified as parties to the agreement and would take part in renegotiations.
- City staff: The two named city offices are tasked with negotiating the new terms.
- Montréal residents and library users: The decision does not directly change library services, access, or fees. Staff say the existing agreement supports BAnQ’s operating costs and services to Montréal residents and local libraries.
Money#
No new cost is identified for 2026; city staff say the decision has no impact on the City’s 2026 financial framework.
- Under the existing agreement, the City approved $13,997,461 per year for 2024 and 2025. For 2026, the approved amount is $13,997,461 plus inflation, with the annual increase capped at 2%.
- The amount the City may contribute under a new agreement is not set in this decision.
What is unclear#
- What terms the City will seek, and whether BAnQ and the minister will agree to them.
- The amount and duration of the next agreement.
- How the agreement will divide responsibilities or funding among the City, BAnQ and the province.
- Whether and how the renegotiated terms will change services for local libraries or the public.
Case for#
- City staff say public libraries’ roles, collections and services have changed since the first framework agreement in 2002, including through digital services and the growth of Montréal’s library network.
- Updating the agreement could bring its terms into line with current circumstances for BAnQ’s Grande Bibliothèque and Montréal’s library network.
- The existing agreement supports BAnQ’s operating costs and services to residents and local libraries; renegotiating allows the parties to discuss how that support should work in the next agreement.
Case against#
- The decision does not state what the City wants changed, so the public cannot assess the likely terms or effects.
- Future municipal contributions are unknown, and the existing agreement has provided a substantial annual contribution to BAnQ.
- Renegotiation does not guarantee improved or unchanged services; the decision does not specify what happens to services if the parties do not reach a new agreement.