Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a motion on December 15, 2025, titled Motion pour que la Ville de Montréal s'engage à poursuivre le projet de transformation et de piétonnisation de la rue Sainte-Catherine Est dans le Village (motion for the City to continue the Sainte-Catherine East transformation and pedestrianization project in the Village). The decision directs the City to continue the project and reserve the necessary credits in its 2026 budget and 2026–2035 capital program. Its stated goal is to carry out the planned transformation.
- The project is for the stretch of Sainte-Catherine East between Berri Street and De Lorimier Avenue in the Village, in Ville-Marie borough. The plan described in the motion would make about one kilometre of street pedestrian-only year-round.
- The motion also calls for replacing aging underground infrastructure and adding trees, planted areas, street furniture and a year-round light canopy.
- The City must continue including the Village community, particularly the SDC du Village and the Association citoyenne du Village de Montréal, in project delivery, including decisions about surface design and street furniture.
- The motion’s recitals say tenders are to be called in 2026 and preparatory work is expected to start in fall 2026, after the 20th summer pedestrian season.
What it means for you#
- Residents, visitors and people using the street: The motion supports continuing toward year-round pedestrianization, but it does not itself close the street or authorize construction.
- Village businesses and community groups: The City must continue involving local groups, especially the two named organizations, in project delivery. The motion does not give them final decision-making authority.
- City taxpayers: The City must reserve the necessary credits in its 2026 budget and 2026–2035 capital program. The motion does not state an amount.
Money#
The motion requires the City to reserve funding, but gives no cost estimate.
- No publicly available information.
- The amount to be reserved, and how it would be divided between the budget and capital program, are not specified.
What is unclear#
- The total project cost and the amount the City will reserve are not stated.
- The motion does not set out detailed construction stages, final design, or how access for deliveries and other street users would work.
- It names community groups and areas for their involvement, but does not describe how that involvement will work or what influence they will have.
Case for#
- The motion’s stated case is that the project would replace aging underground infrastructure while transforming the street.
- Year-round pedestrianization, more greenery and public-space features could make the street more welcoming. The motion points to more than 11 million pedestrian passages during the 2025 summer pedestrian season as evidence of existing activity.
- Continuing the project and involving local groups could build on planning and consultation that, according to the motion, has taken place over several years.
Case against#
- The City is directed to reserve necessary credits without the motion stating the amount. That makes the financial commitment hard to assess.
- The motion does not explain how the year-round pedestrian street would affect deliveries, access or other street users.
- The motion commits to continuing the project, but does not set out detailed milestones or the process for resolving design concerns.