Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a position supporting an amendment to the 2023–2025 Montréal bio-food sector development agreement with Quebec’s agriculture ministry (MAPAQ). The amendment would add Quebec’s economy ministry (MEIE), increase the agreement amount by $137,000 to $1,212,000, and add a matching $137,000 to the agglomeration budget for 2026. The stated goal is to support projects that develop Montréal’s bio-food sector; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- MAPAQ would contribute up to $87,000 more, and MEIE up to $50,000 more, both in 2026.
- The City would continue to coordinate and manage the agreement; the amendment does not increase its financial contribution.
- A committee with representatives of MAPAQ, MEIE and the City’s economic development service identifies projects and follows the agreement. It also approves new projects, deliverables and reporting.
- The agreement’s stated project areas include urban and other agriculture, food processing, business growth, environmental practices, access to Quebec products, and research and knowledge.
What it means for you#
- Bio-food businesses and organizations: The agreement can support projects in the listed areas, but this decision does not itself award funding to any particular business or organization.
- City administration and taxpayers: The City remains responsible for coordinating and managing the agreement. The added budget is matched by expected grant revenue; the City’s contribution is not increased.
- Residents: The decision does not create a direct benefit, service, application process or eligibility right for residents.
Money#
The decision adds $137,000 in expected grant revenue and matching spending to the agglomeration budget for 2026; no increased City contribution is required.
- MAPAQ’s additional contribution is up to $87,000; MEIE’s is up to $50,000.
- The resolution states that the agreement’s total will rise to $1,212,000. City staff’s financial table instead gives a modified total of $1,327,847, including $115,847 in residual sums from the previous agreement. The materials do not explain this difference.
What is unclear#
- Which projects will receive funding, how much each will receive, and how decisions will be made are not specified here.
- The materials give no outcome measures or estimate of the results the added funding will produce.
- The agreement amount differs between the resolution and the staff financial table, as noted above.
Case for#
- City staff say the City and MAPAQ are satisfied with the work so far, and that adding MEIE funding would allow more projects to be supported without increasing the City’s contribution.
- The agreement covers several areas, from food businesses and urban agriculture to food access and reducing waste. A joint committee could select projects across those areas.
Case against#
- The decision adds public spending but does not identify the projects or expected results for the additional $137,000.
- It gives the committee responsibility for selecting projects and approving deliverables, but this material does not set out project-selection criteria or detailed oversight rules.
- The conflicting agreement totals make the full financial picture harder to confirm.