Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously approved the city’s position in favour of a $74,568 contribution to Zoo Ecomuseum - Société d'histoire naturelle de la vallée du Saint-Laurent (SHNVSL) for a brown snake conservation project. This is an orientation for the agglomeration council, which makes the final decision at a later meeting. The stated goal is to improve knowledge, habitat and ecological connections for the brown snake in Greater Montréal.
- The proposed contribution would cover activities from 2026 to 2028; the project is scheduled to end on March 31, 2029.
- The project includes surveys, habitat work, checking ecological corridors, sharing knowledge with municipalities and monitoring completed work.
- The proposed convention sets the conditions for paying the contribution in three instalments.
What it means for you#
- Residents: The decision does not directly change your rights, fees or services.
- SHNVSL: If the contribution is approved, it would receive three payments of $24,856, under the convention’s terms.
- Agglomeration taxpayers: City staff say the agglomeration would cover the full contribution because the work concerns Montréal’s network of large parks.
Money#
The proposed contribution is $74,568, with no taxes applying.
- The amount is included in the operating budget of the Service des grands parcs, du Mont-Royal et des sports.
- Payments are planned for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
- City staff list other project contributions of $249,658 from the Fondation de la faune du Québec, $75,225 from the Quebec environment ministry, $75,000 from Laval and $15,000 from Saint-Laurent borough.
What is unclear#
- The listed contributions total $489,451, less than the stated project total of $503,055.50. The materials do not explain the $13,604.50 difference.
- City staff describe the $74,568 contribution as 14.5% of the project total, but that percentage does not match the stated project total.
- The detailed obligations and payment conditions are in the convention’s annex, which is not included here.
Case for#
- City staff say the brown snake is threatened and its habitat is declining. The project would support surveys and habitat improvements.
- The work also includes checking ecological corridors and sharing findings with municipalities, which could help inform local land management.
- The project has listed contributions from several governments and organizations, rather than relying only on Montréal.
Case against#
- The project’s total funding figures do not reconcile, leaving the full funding picture unclear.
- The proposed contribution would be paid from public funds, but the materials do not provide a separate estimate of results or cost-effectiveness.
- The materials do not specify how many habitat sites or corridors will be improved.