Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously approved its position on an addendum to the 2025 funding agreement with Coopérative de solidarité Carbone (Coop Carbone). The addendum would remove the obligation to open a logistics space at 344 boulevard Robert-Bourassa and reduce the grant from $265,000 to $68,000. City staff say the change would let the city redirect the released funds to another project that can be completed by the end of 2026. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The revised $68,000 grant would support the remaining goals: helping businesses adopt more sustainable logistics and improving knowledge and decision-making tools for municipal logistics.
- The agreement would no longer require Coop Carbone to open the Robert-Bourassa site. Staff say the planned lease could not be secured for more than three years.
- The project is due to end December 31, 2026. The final report is due in January 2027, with the final payment planned for the first quarter of 2027.
What it means for you#
- Coop Carbone: If the addendum is approved by the agglomeration council, its grant would be $68,000, paid in two instalments: $53,000 and $15,000. The agreement’s remaining work must be completed by December 31, 2026.
- Residents and businesses: The decision does not require a new logistics space at 344 boulevard Robert-Bourassa. It does not directly change delivery rules or provide a new service to residents.
- Taxpayers: The grant is paid entirely by the agglomeration, according to the decision summary.
Money#
The revised grant would be $68,000, down $197,000 from the original $265,000.
- The money is already budgeted from the Réflexe 2 envelope; the decision summary says the agglomeration covers 100% of the expense.
- City staff say the released amount can be redirected to another project that can be completed by December 31, 2026; otherwise, it must be returned to the provincial ministry.
- The grant represents 55% of the overall project support shown in the decision summary.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not identify the other project that might receive the released funds.
- The addendum changes the grant and removes the first goal, but the materials do not explain how progress on the two remaining goals will be assessed beyond the final report.
Case for#
- City staff say the planned site could not be secured on a long-term basis, so removing that goal aligns the agreement with work Coop Carbone can complete.
- The change reduces the grant to match the remaining goals and may allow funds to support another project rather than be returned to the provincial ministry.
Case against#
- The original plan to establish a logistics space in central Montréal would no longer be part of the funded agreement.
- The materials do not name the alternative project or show what results the remaining $68,000 is expected to deliver.