Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position in favour of adopting the Montréal-Nord part of Montréal’s heritage-property inventory under the Cultural Heritage Act. This is an orientation for the agglomeration council, which makes the final decision at a later meeting. The stated goal is to meet the legal requirement to inventory heritage properties built before 1940.
- The proposed inventory part covers 388 properties in the borough of Montréal-Nord.
- If adopted, the listed properties would be considered heritage properties under the Act respecting land use planning and development.
- Those properties may then be subject to specific rules under municipal bylaws on demolition and on building occupancy and maintenance.
What it means for you#
- Owners of the 388 listed properties: If the agglomeration council adopts this inventory part, your property could be subject to provisions in the city’s demolition and building occupancy and maintenance bylaws. The materials do not say which specific rules would apply to each property.
- Other residents and property owners: This decision does not itself change the rules for properties outside the proposed list.
- People in Montréal-Nord: The decision does not create a new heritage office or a process for owners to apply, appeal, or seek a review.
Money#
The inventory is being funded through an agreement that provides for up to $5 million in provincial assistance, matched by an equal contribution from the City of Montréal.
- The materials give no separate cost for the Montréal-Nord inventory part or its adoption.
What is unclear#
- The property-by-property list is not included in the supplied material, so the 388 properties cannot be identified here.
- The materials do not explain how owners would be told their property is listed, or what process they could use to challenge or correct information.
- They do not specify which bylaw provisions would apply to listed properties, or whether those provisions would differ by property.
Case for#
- City staff say the law requires the agglomeration to adopt an inventory of heritage properties built before 1940 by April 1, 2026.
- Staff say the agglomeration has about 90,000 such properties to consider, so adopting the inventory in parts is permitted and allows completed sections to be brought forward over time.
- The decision follows that staged approach for Montréal-Nord, with support from the borough administration.
Case against#
- The decision could bring properties within rules on demolition, occupancy, and maintenance, but the materials do not explain which rules would apply or how owners would be affected.
- The materials do not provide the Montréal-Nord list or describe a process for owners to question their property’s inclusion.