Summary#
On March 23, 2026, Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position on a transfer of two existing funding agreements. It supports authorizing the transfer from Fondation Montréal inc. de demain to Essor économique Québec Tech and approving the transfer agreement; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed transfer covers the agreements’ rights and obligations and would take effect retroactively from December 1, 2025.
- The agreements fund projects supporting technology startups and Montréal businesses facing U.S. tariffs.
- The transfer would not change the approved contribution amounts. The city staff summary says it would allow the projects to continue under the nonprofit now responsible for this work.
What it means for you#
- For Essor économique Québec Tech: If the transfer is authorized, it would take on the agreements’ rights and obligations. It would receive the payments due in 2026 and the applicable portions of amounts already paid to the Fondation for the period starting December 1, 2025.
- For Fondation Montréal inc. de demain: It would transfer those rights and obligations and the applicable funds already received.
- For the public: The decision does not create a new grant program or change who can receive support under the projects. The materials do not describe the projects’ eligibility rules.
Money#
The transfer does not change the amounts of the two previously approved contributions: $250,000 and $175,000.
- The $250,000 contribution was conditional on signing a new “entente Réflexe” with the Québec government.
- The $175,000 contribution was part of funding for projects to help Montréal businesses respond to U.S. tariffs.
- Payments due in 2026 would go to Essor. The Fondation must transfer any applicable amounts it already received for the period from December 1, 2025.
- No additional cost estimate is provided.
What is unclear#
- The supplied material does not include the full transfer agreement, so its detailed terms are not available.
- It does not state how much of the contributions has already been paid or remains to be paid.
- The materials describe final project reporting for August to December 2026 but do not give further details about the reporting requirements.
Case for#
- City staff say the Fondation’s startup-development work now falls within Essor’s mission, while the Fondation is focusing on charitable work.
- Transferring the agreements would align responsibility for the funded projects with the organization now carrying out that work.
- City staff say the transfer would help the organizations regularize the arrangement before the Fondation’s financial year ends, without disrupting the projects.
Case against#
- No clear concern is available from the supplied material.