City lends monastery for Indigenous shelter

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously adopted an orientation in favour of lending the former Recluses Missionnaires monastery, at 12050 boulevard Gouin Est in Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, to Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ) at no charge. The proposed loan was for a warming shelter for people experiencing homelessness, from January 15 to April 30, 2026. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.

  • The building is 38,005.80 square feet. City staff estimated the property subsidy to PAQ at $132,448.
  • The orientation also approved a $97,000 budget transfer, net of taxes, from the Service de l’habitation to the Service de la gestion et de la planification des immeubles.
  • Under the staff summary, PAQ would cover cleaning and minor repairs; the city would cover energy, snow removal and mechanical maintenance.

What it means for you#

  • People seeking shelter: City staff described a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week shelter intended for about 40 Indigenous people experiencing homelessness or vulnerability. PAQ planned to provide a shuttle.
  • PAQ: The proposed loan was free, but PAQ would have to pay the listed building operating costs assigned to it.
  • City departments and taxpayers: The city would cover specified building costs, funded through the approved $97,000 transfer. The proposed loan period ended April 30, 2026.

Money#

City staff estimated $97,000 in city expenses, net of taxes, and a $132,448 property subsidy to PAQ.

  • The $97,000 covers the city’s estimated energy, snow-removal and mechanical-maintenance costs for the occupancy period.
  • The $132,448 is an estimated value of free use of the property, not a cash grant stated in the resolution.

What is unclear#

  • The supplied materials do not show whether the shelter ultimately opened or whether the loan went ahead.
  • The loan agreement’s full terms are not included, so other conditions and responsibilities cannot be checked.

Case for#

  • City staff say the building was vacant and met PAQ’s needs. Making it available could provide a warm place to stay during the 2025–26 winter.
  • A free loan gives PAQ temporary use of a large building, while assigning it cleaning and minor-repair costs.

Case against#

  • The city would still pay an estimated $97,000 for building costs during a short-term loan.
  • The materials give estimates, not final costs, and do not report how many people the shelter served.