City approves office lease for women's group

Summary#

Montréal city council approved a 24-month lease to Communauté féminine Entre Elles, a women’s community organization, for a 77-square-foot office in the Cité-des-Hospitalières at 251 avenue des Pins Ouest. The lease starts February 1, 2026, and is for office use and community activities for newly arrived women. City staff say the lease supports activities that fit the city’s goals for the site.

  • The total rent is $2,453.22, excluding sales taxes.
  • Either the city or the organization may end the lease early with 30 days’ notice.
  • The city will provide energy and handle maintenance and repairs; the tenant will pay property taxes and clean the space.

What it means for you#

  • Communauté féminine Entre Elles: May use the space for the stated purposes during the lease. It must pay rent, property taxes and cleaning costs.
  • The city: Will receive rent and remain responsible for energy, maintenance and repairs.
  • Other residents and organizations: The decision does not create a general public service or change residents’ rights to use the site.

Money#

The city expects $2,453.22 in rent, plus applicable sales taxes, over the lease.

  • The file’s revenue table gives a total of $2,820.59 including sales taxes.
  • The file also lists a $15,495 property subsidy recommended by Atelier Entremise, but does not explain its form or whether this decision authorizes a payment.
  • No cost estimate is given for the city’s energy, maintenance or repair responsibilities.

What is unclear#

  • Whether the $15,495 subsidy is a payment, a rent reduction or another form of support.
  • The expected cost of energy, maintenance and repairs.
  • The lease begins before council approved it; the materials do not explain this timing.

Case for#

  • City staff say the lease supports activities that fit the principles for the site, including opening it to the community and responding to community needs.
  • The lease provides space for an organization’s office and activities for newly arrived women.

Case against#

  • The file does not explain the $15,495 subsidy or its relationship to the rent.
  • The city’s costs for energy, maintenance and repairs are not estimated, so the financial effect of the lease is not fully shown.