The City of Montreal is pleased to announce the winning projects of the 3rd edition of the Montreal participatory budget. Citizen projects for this 3rd participatory budget had to address at least one of three themes: youth, equity or safety. A budget of $45 million is earmarked for the winning projects, with at least $10 million allocated to projects that meet the needs of young people aged 30 and under.
"We are proud to unveil the winning projects of this 3rd edition of the participatory budget. Over 28,000 people voted - a record! Thanks to citizen participation, seven projects will see the light of day across the city. They will help meet the needs of young people, modernize certain municipal infrastructures to make them more practical and accessible, ensure equitable access to parks, public spaces and municipal facilities, and offer more pleasant and safer living environments. These winning projects, like those that emerged from the first two editions of the participatory budget, will leave a significant legacy on the territory of Montreal," declared Magda Popeanu, member of the City of Montreal's Executive Committee, responsible for citizen participation and democracy.
A participatory budget based on the ideas ofMontrealers
The seven winning projects of the 3rd participatory budget are based on the 880 or so ideas put forward by the general public in winter 2024. Of these ideas, 38 were deemed technically and regulatory feasible, and were put to the vote between February 10 and March 17, 2025. The seven winning projects reflect the outcome of the citizen vote and involve 18 boroughs:
Take long, carefree walks along the water
Install accessible public toilets open year-round in various parks along or near the river. In addition to encouraging walking along the riverbanks, this will enable seniors and families to take long strolls in complete ease.
Clean, practical parks: toilets for everyone
Provide access to new or renovated, safe and accessible toilets in many of the city's parks. This way, families can enjoy green spaces and play areas without worrying about having to return home quickly for urgent needs.
Ville nourricière
Develop or preserve spaces in the heart of the city where it will be possible to plant nourishing gardens with fruit, vegetables and edible plants. Depending on the location, the project could take several forms: a greenhouse with multi-purpose rooms, a community garden or a collective garden open to all. These sites could also host educational panels and gardening workshops to encourage encounters and learning about urban agriculture.
Warm butts! Installation of self-cleaning, accessible toilets in public spaces
Install clean, safe, self-cleaning toilets, accessible at all times, in various public spaces. In addition to contributing to a cleaner city, these new toilets will improve the quality of life of Montrealers in general, and more vulnerable populations in particular.
Greening unusual areas of the city
Add green spaces, trees and landscaping in highly mineralized areas or in unusual, under-used parts of the city. This will create islands of greenery and freshness that will improve the quality of life of nearby residents and increase the diversity of urban flora.
Intersections transformed into urban oases
Add landscaping to beautify certain street sections or intersections. This will encourage plant, insect and bird diversity in highly mineralized areas. It will also improve the quality of life and travel safety of the population by reducing the number of heat islands and redesigning intersections.
Smooth swimming for all
Install ramps, lifts and other necessary equipment in several Montreal pools so that people with functional limitations can easily access the water, cool off and swim in complete safety.
Implementation of participatory budget projects
The Ville de Montréal is committed to beginning implementation of the winning projects of the 3rd participatory budget within two years of their announcement, to carrying them out until the $45 million envelope is exhausted, and to keeping the public informed of their progress. Over the three editions of the participatory budget, more than 2,000 ideas were put forward by the public. Once the participatory budget projects have been finalized, a total of $101.5 million will have been allocated to implement citizens' ideas aimed at improving quality of life and safety, youth participation, the ecological transition and territorial and social equity.
Intersections transformed into urban oases
Add landscaping to beautify certain street sections or intersections. This will encourage plant, insect and bird diversity in highly mineralized areas. It will also improve the quality of life and travel safety of the population by reducing the number of heat islands and redesigning intersections.
Smooth swimming for all
Install ramps, lifts and other necessary equipment in several Montreal pools so that people with functional limitations can easily access the water, cool off and swim in complete safety.
Implementation of participatory budget projects
The Ville de Montréal is committed to beginning implementation of the winning projects of the 3rd participatory budget within two years of their announcement, to carrying them out until the $45 million envelope is exhausted, and to keeping the public informed of their progress. Over the three editions of the participatory budget, more than 2,000 ideas were put forward by the public. Once the participatory budget projects have been finalized, a total of $101.5 million will have been allocated to implement citizens' ideas aimed at improving quality of life and safety, youth participation, the ecological transition and territorial and social equity.
The participatory budget is a process that allows the population to decide how part of the municipal budget will be used. It allows Montrealers to put forward ideas for urban development or municipal facilities, and then vote for the projects that the city will carry out. For more information on the Participatory Budget, please visit the Ville de Montréal's Participatory Budget website.
SOURCE City of Montreal - Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
