Summary#
Montréal city council approved an agreement ending the City’s financial contribution agreement with Montréal en Histoires (CM23 0285), and granted the organization $50,000 for 2025. City staff say the grant is for maintaining equipment after the Cité Mémoire presentation in Old Montréal stopped; this is the staff’s explanation of the grant’s purpose, not a guarantee that the presentation will resume.
- The City and Montréal en Histoires agreed to end the existing contribution agreement on December 31, 2025.
- The City granted Montréal en Histoires $50,000 for its project, with the decision summary describing the funded work as equipment maintenance.
- The resolution was adopted unanimously.
What it means for you#
- Montréal en Histoires: It receives $50,000 for 2025. The decision does not set out a detailed list of eligible maintenance work or other grant conditions.
- People visiting or living in Montréal: City staff say Cité Mémoire’s Old Montréal presentation has stopped. The decision does not set a date for it to resume or require that it do so.
- The public: The decision does not create a new public service, benefit, fee, or tax.
Money#
The City grants $50,000 for 2025 from the Culture Service operating budget; the city-centre pays 100%.
- The materials give no further cost breakdown or estimate of future maintenance costs.
What is unclear#
- The resolution and decision summary do not specify which equipment will be maintained, the work to be done, or how the grant’s use will be checked.
- The terms of the agreement ending on December 31, 2025, beyond its end date, are not provided.
- The materials do not explain the organization’s plans for Cité Mémoire after the presentation stopped.
Case for#
- A possible case for the grant is that it provides support for maintaining equipment after the presentation stopped, rather than continuing the earlier contribution agreement.
- City staff say aging equipment, difficult and costly upkeep, and loss of permission to use some sites affected the project. The grant could help the organization address equipment needs in that situation.
Case against#
- One concern is that the decision does not explain whether $50,000 is enough to cover the maintenance needs, or what will happen if costs are higher.
- It is unclear what results the grant is expected to deliver, especially while the presentation has stopped and permission to use some sites has been withdrawn.