Summary#
Montréal city council approved a 10-year land lease to Terrion LP (Telus Communications inc.) for a telecommunications tower in Saint-Léonard. The lease runs retroactively from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2035, and pays the city $219,053.94 before taxes. City staff say the lease is intended to support telecommunications operations while bringing revenue to the city.
- The leased site is a 529-square-metre parcel at 6729, rue Pascal-Gagnon.
- Terrion must pay rent, an administrative fee and the electricity costs for its equipment.
- City staff say the lease also allows non-exclusive use of an access road to reach a public road.
What it means for you#
- City residents: The decision does not directly change residents’ rights, services or fees. The city receives lease revenue.
- Terrion: The company may operate and maintain a telecommunications tower on the leased parcel for the lease term. City staff say it also gets non-exclusive access by road.
- The city: The land is leased to Terrion. The decision approves the lease retroactively, and staff say Terrion already occupies the site.
Money#
The city is to receive $219,053.94 before taxes over the 10-year term.
- The city’s financial breakdown lists $218,465.94 in rent and a $588 administrative fee.
- Rent is $19,500 a year, increasing by 2.5% annually from the second year. Terrion must also pay the electricity costs for its equipment.
- The materials give no estimate of the city’s costs to administer the lease.
What is unclear#
- The council resolution identifies the site as 6729, rue Pascal-Gagnon, but the city staff summary gives 6749, rue Pascal-Gagnon. The resolution is the decision, but the address discrepancy is not explained.
- The staff summary mentions an access road, but the resolution does not set out its terms.
- The lease was negotiated directly; the materials do not explain the alternatives considered or the lease’s other conditions.
Case for#
- City staff say the lease brings revenue to the city and supports a telecommunications tower. They also say Terrion’s operations would be compromised if the lease were refused.
Case against#
- One concern is that the lease was negotiated directly, without a call for tenders, and the materials do not explain how its terms were assessed against alternatives. The address discrepancy also leaves a basic detail unclear.