Summary#
On September 21, 2026, Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position in favour of approving an addendum to its financial contribution agreement with the École des entrepreneurs du Québec (EEQ). The addendum would add the Humaxis project and extend the agreement’s end date to March 31, 2027; it does not propose extra city funding. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- Humaxis would be added to the agreement’s list of funded activities, alongside existing entrepreneurship projects.
- The project is intended to support 15 Montréal businesses, involving about 30 managers and human-resources staff, through workshops and individual coaching.
- The city’s contribution would cover part of Humaxis’s costs, including coordination, operation, networking and outreach. City staff say the money would be reallocated from activities that will not take place.
- The agreement’s stated total value is $800,000. The earlier approval provided $400,000 for 2025 and another $400,000 conditional on signing a new Réflexe agreement with Québec for 2026 and 2027.
What it means for you#
- Participating businesses and staff: If the addendum is approved, 15 businesses could receive support on organizational change, including workshops and tailored coaching. City staff say the project is aimed at managers and human-resources leads.
- Other Montréal businesses: The decision does not create a general right to receive support. The materials do not set out how businesses are selected.
- Montréal taxpayers: The city’s position is that the addendum adds no new city funding. It would change how already-authorized funds are used and extend the agreement’s end date.
Money#
The city decision summary says there is no budget impact for Montréal and no additional amount is proposed in the addendum.
- The existing agreement is valued at $800,000; city staff say some of its funds would be redirected from activities that will not happen.
- Humaxis also receives funding from Services Québec. The materials do not give the amount of that funding or the share of Humaxis costs covered by Montréal.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not explain Humaxis’s business-selection rules, application process, or whether places are limited to particular sectors or types of business.
- The addendum’s exact funding allocation and the amount redirected to Humaxis are not stated.
- City staff report that no consultation was held. The materials do not explain how participating businesses or employees will be involved in shaping the project.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the addendum is that it uses already-authorized funds for a project that fits the agreement’s existing aim of strengthening entrepreneurs’ skills.
- Humaxis would add support for organizational change, a subject not listed among the agreement’s original four areas.
- City staff say the project could help participating businesses adapt to change and pursue innovation and environmental or digital transitions.
Case against#
- One concern is that the city would redirect funds from activities already in the agreement without the materials specifying which activities will be dropped or how much money Humaxis will receive.
- The project is limited to 15 businesses, but the materials do not explain how those businesses will be chosen or how access will be kept fair.
- City staff describe expected benefits, but the materials do not set out measures for assessing whether businesses achieve them.