City funds flood-protection structure

Summary#

Montréal’s city council approved a draft funding agreement between the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough and Quebec’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. It also authorized the borough’s director of territorial development to sign the agreement and related documents. The stated goal is to help pay for a permanent structure to assist with flood protection on Crevier Street.

  • The planned structure would be about 275 metres long, in the public right-of-way between Gouin Boulevard and the Rivière des Prairies.
  • The ministry has promised $2,265,806 in funding, including additional assistance for eligible QST; the borough would provide $708,194.
  • City staff’s schedule says work began in August 2025 and is to finish by March 31, 2027.

What it means for you#

  • People near Crevier Street: The project is intended to help protect against river flooding. The decision does not guarantee that flooding or damage will be prevented.
  • Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough: It is responsible for the $708,194 share and its director is authorized to sign the funding agreement and related documents.
  • Residents generally: The decision approves funding for a public flood-protection project. It does not create a new grant for residents or change their individual rights or obligations.

Money#

The project is budgeted at $2,974,000; the ministry has promised $2,265,806, and the borough is to contribute $708,194.

  • The ministry amount is described as 75% of the project budget, plus an additional rate of assistance for eligible QST.
  • The materials do not say whether the amounts include taxes or are net of tax rebates.

What is unclear#

  • The draft agreement’s full terms, including any conditions on the grant, are not provided.
  • The materials do not explain the structure’s design or how much flood risk it is expected to reduce.
  • Future maintenance costs and who will pay them are not stated.
  • The materials do not say whether the final project cost may differ from the budget.

Case for#

  • A permanent measure could reduce reliance on temporary flood-response work. City staff say the 2017, 2019 and 2023 floods required significant effort and resources.
  • Staff estimate that labour alone cost more than $135,000 during the 2023 event; equipment, materials and operating costs were not counted.
  • The ministry’s promised funding covers most of the budget, leaving the borough with a smaller share.

Case against#

  • The project’s expected effect on flood risk is not quantified in the materials, so residents cannot assess how much protection it is likely to provide.
  • The borough must contribute $708,194, and future maintenance costs are not given.
  • City staff note that temporary flood response in 2023 cost more than $135,000 in labour alone, but that figure does not show whether this permanent project will reduce overall costs.