Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously appointed urban planner Audrey Girard to the existing Comité Jacques-Viger, starting March 23, 2026. Her first term is three years and may be renewed; city staff say committee members may generally serve one consecutive renewal. City staff describe the committee’s goal as improving the quality of plans, projects and policies it advises on.
- The appointment fills the seat held by architect Laurence Lebeux, whose term had ended; council also thanked her for six years of service.
- The committee has nine members and advises the city on planning, urbanism, architecture, design and landscape architecture.
- The committee advises council on proposed changes to the urban plan and certain proposed bylaws, as well as other plans, projects and policies submitted to it.
What it means for you#
- Residents: This is an appointment to an existing advisory committee, not a new service or a direct change to residents’ rights or obligations.
- City council and administration: The committee can provide advice and recommendations on the matters described by city staff. The decision does not require the city to adopt its advice.
- Audrey Girard: She begins a three-year committee term on March 23, 2026.
Money#
The city says the committee members’ pay is covered by the operating budget of the Service du greffe.
- No amount for this appointment or the committee’s total pay is given.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give details of Girard’s experience or the reasons she was chosen beyond identifying her as an urban planner.
- They do not state the amount of her pay or any change to the committee’s budget.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the appointment is that it fills an expired seat on a committee that advises the city on planning and design matters.
- City staff report that eight candidates were interviewed and Girard was selected for the vacancy.
Case against#
- The materials provide little detail about Girard’s qualifications, so readers cannot assess the selection against the committee’s stated experience and competence criteria.
- No clear concern about the appointment is available from the supplied material.