Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a resolution authorizing the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve to transform the former Maisonneuve Market at 4375 rue Ontario Est, inside the classified heritage site of Ancienne-Cité-de-Maisonneuve. The authorization is under Quebec’s Cultural Heritage Act; it is not a new program or a grant of money. City staff say the project’s goal is to address safety and building needs while preserving the site’s heritage value.
- The borough is authorized to move two walls and two exterior doors by about 525 mm to bring two side exits up to code, and to replace the copper roof with a standing-seam metal roof system.
- The work must follow plans prepared by architect Sylvie Perrault and dated December 15, 2025.
- Other work described in the project—including water-system repairs, hazardous-material removal, elevator work and structural repairs—is not covered by this heritage authorization.
What it means for you#
- People using the market: The former market houses neighbourhood community organizations. The decision authorizes specified changes to the building, but does not set out any change to services or say whether the work will affect access or operations.
- The borough: Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve may carry out the authorized work under the heritage rules. The borough had already approved the project in September 2025; this city-council decision provides the heritage authorization.
- The public: The approval concerns work at this building. It does not create a general rule for other buildings or change residents’ rights.
Money#
No cost information is available in the supplied material.
- The decision authorizes work but does not approve a stated amount of spending or provide a project budget.
What is unclear#
- The plans are referenced but not included in the supplied material, so their full design details cannot be checked here.
- The project’s total cost, construction timing and any effect on the community organizations’ use of the building are not stated.
- The decision does not explain the approvals or timing for the other project work that is outside this heritage authorization.
Case for#
- City staff say the exit changes are needed for safe evacuation and to address building-code deficiencies.
- City staff say the work will preserve the building’s heritage value. The Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal also gave a favourable opinion, saying the design fits the building’s architectural character while keeping the main entrance visually dominant.
Case against#
- The decision gives no budget or schedule, so the public cannot assess the cost or timing of the authorized work from these materials.
- The authorization covers only specified heritage work; the broader project includes other repairs and upgrades whose cost and timing are not provided here.