City backs four-year RTM board renewal

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a position supporting a four-year renewal of Pierre Fortin’s appointment as an independent member of the Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM, also known as Exo) board. This is not the final appointment: the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the goal is to let Mr. Fortin continue serving on the board.

  • The city council’s position is to renew Mr. Fortin’s term for four years. The agglomeration council makes appointments on Montréal’s behalf.
  • City staff say Mr. Fortin’s previous term expired in December 2024, but he remains in office until replaced or appointed again under the law.
  • The city council also repealed an earlier resolution, CM25 1208. The materials do not explain what that resolution decided.

What it means for you#

  • Transit riders: The decision concerns who sits on the RTM board, which oversees bus, adapted transit and commuter-train services. It does not directly change routes, fares or service.
  • The RTM: If the agglomeration council approves the renewal, Mr. Fortin would serve another four-year term as an independent board member.
  • The public: The materials describe a board appointment, not a new public service, passenger eligibility rule or application process.

Money#

City staff say the file has no financial impact.

  • The materials provide no cost estimate or explanation of whether the appointment involves compensation.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not give the agglomeration council’s final decision.
  • They do not explain what resolution CM25 1208 covered or what repealing it changes.
  • The materials give no details about how Mr. Fortin’s qualifications or independence were assessed for this renewal.

Case for#

  • A possible argument for renewal is that Mr. Fortin has served on the RTM board for more than eight years and has financial-management and governance experience, according to city staff.
  • City staff say he has met the city’s expectations and that renewing his term would provide continuity in board leadership.

Case against#

  • One concern is that the materials do not describe other candidates or explain how the city assessed whether another term was preferable.
  • Mr. Fortin has already served more than eight years, and the materials do not explain how the city ensures that a long-serving member remains independent.