Press releases published by Projet Montréal

Projet Montréal leader Richard Bergeron has asked Montreal's public consultation board not to authorize bylaw amendments that would permit the transformation of the former convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary into condominiums.

“In the last few years, we’ve observed a drift in urban planning in Montreal: the City and the boroughs have been relinquishing their urban planning prerogatives much too easily when faced with powerful public or private developers," the  mayoral candidate said. "This must stop."

“1420 Mont-Royal Blvd. is at the eastern tip of a large urban expanse dedicated to institutions," Mr. Bergeron explained. With Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, the Université de Montréal and the Saint-Nom-de-Marie boarding school, this area's character is the result of a historical decision to devote the northern slope of Mount Royal almost entirely to major educational institutions. It is the duty of public authorities to protect this heritage for future generations”.

More specifically, Projet Montréal asked the Office de consultation publique de Montréal to:

1. recommend that the borough of Outremont and the City of Montreal not amend their zoning or master plans;
2. invite the Université de Montréal to show some restraint in its development ambitions and, more importantly, not to deviate from its mission by behaving like a real estate developer;
3. recall that public institutions have an obligation to preserve our heritage for posterity. Thus, the Université de Montréal, the borough of Outremont, the City of Montreal and the provincial Ministry of Culture share responsibility for preserving this unique institutional ensemble on the slope of the mountain;
4. warn the developer of the risks it will face by claiming to offer luxurious dwellings in a building that is not up to contemporary standards for natural lighting. In this respect, the OPCM must remind the developer that it will never be authorized to alter the building's exterior; and
5. remind the many public institutions involved that Montreal’s heritage must not only be preserved, but must also remain as accessible as possible to the public.