Summary#
On January 26, 2026, Montréal city council unanimously approved increasing Verdun borough’s funding by $174,471.56, net of tax rebates, from the city’s Environmental Liability reserve. The money is for preparatory environmental and geotechnical studies at parc Monseigneur-J.-A.-Richard. City staff say the broader goal is to prepare for park improvements, including more accessible activity areas.
- Verdun borough receives the additional funding; the city-centre pays the full cost from its reserve for contaminated sites.
- The studies are intended to support planned work at the park, which is on the site of a former landfill.
- City staff say the planned work will require a ministerial environmental authorization. This decision does not itself grant that authorization or approve park construction.
What it means for you#
- Verdun residents: The decision funds preparatory studies for the park. It does not itself approve or build the proposed improvements.
- Verdun borough: It must report quarterly to the city’s Environment Department on project spending.
- Taxpayers: The cost is assigned to the city-centre’s Environmental Liability reserve, not to a new fee or tax in this decision.
Money#
The decision provides $174,471.56, net of tax rebates; city staff estimate the total expense at $191,069.11, taxes included.
- The estimate includes $24,922.06, taxes included, for contingencies.
- City staff say the funding is 100% covered by the city-centre and that the final amount may be lower if spending is below the estimate.
- The decision increases Verdun’s funding; it does not itself award a contract to Groupe ABS inc. City staff describe a planned study mandate for that firm under an existing framework agreement.
What is unclear#
- The park’s design is not yet defined, and the materials do not give a construction schedule or the total cost of future park work.
- The final cost of the studies is not yet known.
- The materials do not say whether the required ministerial authorization will be granted.
Case for#
- City staff say the site is a former landfill and that environmental and geotechnical studies are needed for the planned work.
- The studies could help identify site conditions before the borough proceeds with park improvements.
Case against#
- The park design is not yet settled, so the decision funds preparatory work before the full scope and cost of improvements are known.
- The materials do not set out when the studies or later park work will be completed.