Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a resolution setting the city’s position for an agglomeration council decision on a funding application to the federal Fonds pour le transport actif (Active Transportation Fund). It authorizes the application for five street projects, commits the city to pay its share, and names a city director to sign the contribution agreement and related administrative documents. City staff say the goal is to support safer active-transportation infrastructure; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The application covers Prieur Est Street (Saint-Firmin Street to the borough limit), de Terrebonne Street (Saint-Ignatius Street to Girouard Street), and Legendre Street (Lajeunesse Street to Meilleur Street).
- It also covers de l’Esplanade Avenue (Legendre Street to Louvain Street) and Émile-Journault Avenue (Henri-Julien Avenue to Papineau Avenue).
- The resolution supports these projects and commits Montréal to pay the portion not covered by funding.
- It does not award federal funding or itself set out detailed construction plans.
What it means for you#
- People using the five routes: The resolution does not itself change street rules or build infrastructure. If funding is approved and the projects proceed, the routes could receive active-transportation improvements.
- Montréal taxpayers: The city has committed to fund its share, but the final amount is not set in the resolution.
Money#
The resolution commits the city to pay its share; city staff provide estimates, but no final city cost or federal award is confirmed.
- Staff estimate eligible expenses of $69,027 for Prieur Est, $64,602 for de l’Esplanade, $54,545 for de Terrebonne, $115,307 for Émile-Journault, and $164,888 for Legendre.
- The listed maximum federal contributions, at up to 60% of eligible costs, are $41,416, $38,761, $32,727, $69,184, and $98,933, respectively. Together, these are $281,021 from estimated eligible expenses totalling $468,369. The difference is $187,348, but it is not a confirmed final city cost.
- Staff say the federal program requires funded projects to be completed by March 31, 2030.
What is unclear#
- The table lists anticipated completion dates of 2023, 2024, or 2025—before this 2026 decision. The materials do not explain those dates or the projects’ current status.
- The materials do not say whether the federal government will approve funding, or give the final project costs and city contribution.
- The resolution does not describe the planned designs or construction schedules.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the decision is that federal funding could cover up to 60% of eligible costs, reducing pressure on the city’s budget for these projects.
- City staff say the projects are intended to improve conditions for people walking and cycling, improve safety, and, in some cases, add greenery and manage rainwater.
Case against#
- The city commits to paying the remaining costs, but the final amount is unknown and federal funding is not guaranteed.
- The past anticipated completion dates make it hard to tell from these materials how ready the projects are or how the funding would be used.