Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a recommendation to the agglomeration council to grant $51,750 to École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) for research on rock walls beside voie Camillien-Houde in parc du Mont-Royal. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the goal is to improve knowledge of how the rock walls deteriorate and how related risks might be reduced.
- The grant would cover research from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, and is conditional on Mitacs accepting ÉTS’s application.
- ÉTS would provide annual updates and present its findings in progress reports, a master’s report and scientific articles.
- The research would examine causes of rock movement and deterioration, and develop and assess ways to reduce risks while taking the site’s heritage status into account.
What it means for you#
- Residents and park visitors: The decision does not directly change park access or safety rules. City staff say the research could provide information for the city’s monitoring of the rock walls.
- ÉTS and city staff: ÉTS would conduct the research. The city’s infrastructure and large-parks services would collaborate.
Money#
The recommended grant is $51,750, taxes included; the city’s net cost after tax rebates is $47,256.
- The agglomeration would pay the full amount from the operating budget for studies of the Service des grands parcs, du Mont-Royal et des sports.
- Payments would be $34,500 at the agreement’s signing and $17,250 after ÉTS submits its required update, due by January 18, 2027. The net amounts after rebates are $31,504 and $15,752.
- The full research budget is $96,750, taxes included. Mitacs is also named as a funding partner.
What is unclear#
- The draft agreement is not included, so its full terms cannot be checked.
- The materials do not set out specific measures of research success or say whether the city must act on any recommendations.
- The grant depends on Mitacs accepting ÉTS’s application; the materials do not explain what happens if it is not accepted.
Case for#
- City staff say existing analysis is too limited and complex to provide the needed monitoring of rock movement. Funding research could help address that information gap.
- The work would study both the causes of deterioration and possible ways to reduce risks, while taking the site’s heritage character into account.
Case against#
- The city would provide $51,750 even though the decision does not require it to carry out any risk-reduction measures suggested by the research.
- The funding is conditional on Mitacs accepting ÉTS’s application, and the materials do not explain the next steps if that condition is not met.