Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a position to provide $543,812 in grants to Startop and the Commission du développement économique des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador (CDEPNQL), and to approve draft agreements with them. The grants are part of the Plan économique 2030; city staff say the goal is to support more inclusive participation in Montréal’s economy. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed grant to Startop is $350,000 for a three-year project on inclusive social economy.
- The proposed grant to CDEPNQL is $193,812 for a two-year project to develop and raise the profile of Indigenous entrepreneurship in Greater Montréal.
- The draft agreements would set the payment terms and conditions. The materials say projects would begin after the agreements are signed.
What it means for you#
- Startop and CDEPNQL: The city council’s adopted position supports the grants, but this decision alone does not make the payments final. The agreements’ detailed terms are not provided.
- Women from cultural communities and Indigenous entrepreneurs: The projects are intended to serve these groups. Startop’s project includes online training, management and governance support for non-profit organizations, and networking and visibility activities. CDEPNQL’s project includes support for access to public and private markets and connections with Montréal businesses.
- Residents and taxpayers: This decision does not directly change taxes, fees, or eligibility for city services.
Money#
The proposed total public expenditure is $543,812; no cost estimate beyond these grants is given.
- The decision summary says the full amount would be paid by the agglomeration, using the Réflexe 3 funding envelope under the 2025–2029 $200 million agreement with the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy.
- The listed payment schedule is $236,756 in 2026, $186,756 in 2027, $85,000 in 2028, and $35,000 in 2029.
- The decision summary says Startop previously received no support for this project; CDEPNQL received $192,000 in earlier support for a different project.
What is unclear#
- The detailed agreement terms, including any reporting duties or conditions for receiving payments, are not included.
- The materials do not specify measurable targets for the projects or how their results will be assessed.
- It is unclear when the agreements would be signed and exactly when each project would begin.
Case for#
- City staff say the projects address gaps in support for underrepresented groups, including the visibility of Indigenous entrepreneurs and the participation of racialized women in collective businesses.
- The projects offer practical support, such as training, governance help, market access, and business connections.
- Staff say the projects complement existing business-support services by serving groups and needs they consider less well covered.
Case against#
- The decision commits public money without the materials stating specific results the organizations must deliver or how those results will be measured.
- The agreement terms are not provided, so the public cannot assess the full conditions attached to the payments.
- The materials describe staff’s reasons for recommending the grants but do not compare them with other possible uses of the $543,812.