Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted the motion Motion de l'Opposition officielle - Pour une Ville qui respecte la science dans ses décisions publiques on February 16, 2026. It reaffirms that city decisions should draw on evidence, scientific recommendations and residents’ priorities, and commits the City to strengthening scientific consultation and working with research institutions and experts.
- The City commits to strengthen its ways of consulting scientific experts and to integrate recognized best practices into its policies and projects.
- The City commits to develop and maintain agreements, partnerships or participation with research institutions and experts.
- The motion highlights public planning, public and road safety, public health and climate resilience as areas where evidence and residents’ priorities matter.
What it means for you#
- Residents: The motion sets a direction for city decision-making, but it does not create a new service or a process for residents to apply for or receive anything.
- City administration: The City has committed to strengthen scientific consultation and maintain ties with research institutions and experts. The motion does not specify a particular office or who will carry this out.
Money#
No cost information is in the available material.
- The motion creates commitments to strengthen consultation and develop or maintain partnerships, but gives no spending or staffing figures.
What is unclear#
- The motion does not say how the City will consult experts, or how it will decide which practices are the “best” or “recognized.”
- It gives no timeline, budget, public reporting requirement or way to measure whether the commitments are met.
- It does not explain how scientific recommendations and residents’ priorities will be weighed when they point in different directions.
Case for#
- The motion is intended to make city decisions more informed by evidence and scientific expertise, especially in areas it identifies as affecting residents’ quality of life and the City’s resilience.
- Existing expertise inside the City and partnerships with research institutions could give decision-makers access to relevant knowledge.
Case against#
- The commitments are broad: the motion does not set rules for when consultation is required or how recommendations must affect a decision.
- Without a timeline, cost estimate or reporting requirement, residents may have limited ways to assess whether the City has fulfilled its commitments.