City to reimburse judges' advances in 2026

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously set its position in favour of authorizing, subject to conditions, four payments to Quebec’s Ministry of Justice for municipal judges’ work in 2026. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the payments repay advances the ministry makes for judges’ compensation.

  • The proposed total is $15,315,140.15, taxes included, in four scheduled instalments.
  • The money would come from the 2026 operating budget of the City’s Legal Affairs Department, subject to approval of that budget.
  • City staff say the ministry will provide the actual amount due for 2026 by February 1, 2027.

What it means for you#

  • Montréal residents and taxpayers: The decision concerns a city expense for municipal court judges. It does not directly change residents’ rights, services, or taxes.
  • The City: If the agglomeration council approves the payment, Montréal would repay the ministry for advances covering judges’ compensation. City staff say this arrangement has applied since July 1, 2024.

Money#

The proposed expense is $15,315,140.15, taxes included; the staff report gives $15,191,605.68 net of tax rebates.

  • The four instalments are listed as $3,828,785.04 each, due March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, 2026.
  • The expense is to be funded from the Legal Affairs Department’s 2026 operating budget, subject to budget approval.
  • The four listed instalments add up to one cent more than the stated total. The materials do not explain the difference.

What is unclear#

  • The ministry’s final amount for 2026 is not yet known; staff say it will be provided by February 1, 2027.
  • The materials do not explain how any difference between the estimate and final amount would be handled.

Case for#

  • City staff say the City must repay the ministry for advances under the existing legal arrangement.
  • Staff say paying invoices by their due dates avoids interest charges under the applicable regulation.

Case against#

  • The payment is based on an estimate, and the final amount may differ.
  • The materials do not explain how the City would handle a higher or lower final amount.