Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a position approving a proposed 2026–2028 agreement with Québec’s agriculture ministry (MAPAQ) on the city’s food-inspection programs. It would continue the city’s delegated role under Québec’s food rules; the stated goal is to fund and operate inspections across the Montréal agglomeration. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The city’s Food Inspection Division would inspect about 14,000 food establishments, using 30 inspectors and provincial inspection programs.
- The city would have to recruit and train inspectors, carry out inspections and sample testing, maintain ISO 17025 accreditation, report inspection data, and meet other agreement duties.
- The agreement authorizes the division, when needed, to seize or confiscate items, order a temporary stop to operations, and bring penal prosecutions for violations or an imminent danger to consumers.
- The city would receive annual payments from Québec and continue to keep revenue from fines paid at municipal court.
What it means for you#
- Food businesses: They would remain subject to inspections under provincial food rules. The agreement does not set out new business requirements or a new inspection process.
- Residents: The decision does not create a new service or right. The city would continue handling food-safety inspections and complaints under its delegated role.
- City administration: It would have to share inspection, complaint, delay and enforcement information with MAPAQ, provide reports, and follow the agreement’s rules for data and information requests.
Money#
The city would receive $5,881,700 for 2026, $6,062,268 for 2027 and $6,248,380 for 2028, plus GST and QST.
- City staff say the payments cover 100% of the agreement’s costs, including inspection and laboratory work. The materials do not provide a separate cost breakdown.
What is unclear#
- The full agreement is not included, so its detailed inspection standards, sampling rules and reporting deadlines cannot be checked.
- The materials do not explain how often each establishment would be inspected or how the city would decide when to use enforcement powers.
- The criteria for an “imminent danger,” and any review or appeal process for enforcement measures, are not set out here.
Case for#
- Renewing the agreement would preserve the city’s existing inspection role and funding rather than shifting the work to MAPAQ.
- City staff say local inspectors can provide a nearby service and adapt inspections to Montréal’s circumstances.
- Staff say the agreement fully funds the covered work and keeps food-safety rules aligned with provincial standards.
Case against#
- The agreement gives the city significant enforcement powers, but the available materials do not explain the decision criteria or review process.
- The city must consult MAPAQ before media communications about information obtained under the agreement, and may publish only data types MAPAQ has agreed to. This could limit the city’s control over public information.