Summary#
Montréal City Council unanimously adopted a position on shifting part of the 2026 budget for the Réflexe 3 agreement between the City and Québec’s Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy. It supports moving $152,100 in both budgeted revenue and spending from local to agglomeration competence within the existing $50-million budget. City staff say the goal is to correct a double-budgeting error and align the budget with the two levels of municipal responsibility. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed allocation would raise the agglomeration share of both revenue and spending from $35 million to $35,152,100.
- The local share of both would fall from $15 million to $14,847,900.
- City staff say the $152,100 relates to a position’s remuneration that was budgeted both as remuneration and in other expense categories.
What it means for you#
- City residents: This is a budget-allocation change, not a new service, tax, fee, or benefit.
- The City and agglomeration: The City Council’s position supports assigning the $152,100 to agglomeration responsibility. The amount is for other expense categories, and the resolution also shifts an equal amount of budgeted revenue.
- Local and agglomeration budgets: The proposed change moves funds between the two budget shares; it does not increase the total $50-million budget.
Money#
The decision reallocates $152,100 in both revenue and spending within an existing $50-million 2026 budget; no separate cost estimate is provided.
- The decision summary says the expense is to be borne 100% by the agglomeration.
- The materials do not identify a new payment, fee, or tax.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not say what the position does or whether the reallocation changes any service or activity.
- City staff say further transfers between local and agglomeration budgets may be needed during the agreement, but give no amounts or details.
Case for#
- City staff say the change would correct the budget entry and align the allocation with the division of local and agglomeration responsibilities.
- Moving equal amounts of revenue and spending keeps those budget totals balanced.
Case against#
- The change shifts $152,100 of budget responsibility from local to agglomeration; the materials do not explain any practical effect on local activities.
- City staff say more transfers may be needed later, so this correction may not be the only budget adjustment during the agreement.