Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a position supporting the addition of 391 buildings in LaSalle to the Montréal agglomeration’s inventory of heritage buildings built before 1940. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting; if it adopts this part of the inventory, the buildings will be treated as heritage buildings under the laws and city rules described by staff.
- The inventory is part of a larger inventory being adopted in sections, by borough and linked municipality.
- City staff say the law requires the agglomeration to adopt an inventory of qualifying buildings by April 1, 2026.
What it means for you#
- Owners of the 391 listed LaSalle buildings: If the agglomeration council adopts this inventory, staff say the buildings will be subject to special rules under the city’s demolition and building occupancy and maintenance bylaws.
- Other LaSalle residents and property owners: This decision does not add other buildings to the inventory or change rules for them directly. The supplied material does not include the list of 391 buildings.
Money#
The LaSalle inventory was funded through an agreement with Quebec’s Ministry of Culture and Communications; no separate cost for this part is given.
- The agreement provides for up to $5 million in provincial funding and an equal contribution from the City for the agglomeration-wide inventory.
What is unclear#
- The supplied material does not identify the 391 buildings or explain how owners can confirm whether a building is listed.
- It does not set out the specific restrictions or requirements that would apply to each listed building.
- The actual cost of the LaSalle work, and how much of the overall funding it used, are not stated.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the inventory is that it meets a legal requirement and identifies buildings considered to have heritage value.
- Adopting the inventory in parts allows the agglomeration to proceed territory by territory rather than wait for the full inventory to be complete.
Case against#
- A concern is that listing brings special rules into play, while the materials do not explain the specific effects for owners of each building.
- The overall agreement sets a funding limit, but the cost of this LaSalle portion is not given.