The East: Where Anything Is Possible
Montreal’s East : A Territory with a Future, a Collective Project
Montreal, October 5, 2025 — Projet Montréal today presented an ambitious vision for Montreal’s East. The party wants to make it a recognized model of urban, ecological, and industrial transition, with a clear objective: to place local populations at the heart of development.
The East has long played a central role in the economy of Montreal, Quebec, and Canada, but too often at the expense of its residents. Projet Montréal wants to change this logic by focusing on redevelopment opportunities to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods and create new socio-economic prospects for the population.
Giving new momentum to the East
To stimulate transformation, Projet Montréal proposes the creation of a $5 million revitalization fund to support local projects and the establishment of a project office dedicated to the East. Directly under the leadership of the mayor of Montreal, the office will aim to mobilize and coordinate all stakeholders and resources to advance projects that will directly benefit local communities, including the construction of the East collector to attract businesses that add value to Montreal's economy.
Culture and knowledge at the heart of development
The East End must be a hub of creativity and innovation. That is why Projet Montréal wants to focus on culture by supporting the creation of cultural hubs for dissemination and creation. The goal is to give residents of the East End access to leading cultural institutions without having to travel to the central neighborhoods, and to make them real attractions for all Montrealers.
At the same time, through a partnership with Montreal universities, a Projet Montréal administration will support the establishment of a university hub in the East End, transforming the area into a living laboratory for ecological and industrial transition. This new training center would offer local residents courses in cutting-edge disciplines at the heart of their neighborhood's redevelopment: circular economy, green energy, urban agriculture, smart logistics, bio-food, and clean technologies.
Structuring public transportation for the East: serving the current population and supporting development
The 600,000 people who live east of Pie-IX deserve efficient, structured public transportation. For the east to become a real destination and continue to develop, the area must be accessible. The development of the east must therefore be based on sustainable mobility in order to connect neighborhoods and increase the transportation options available to current and future residents, so that they can choose the mode of transportation they want. Projet Montréal wants to launch and advance major projects:
- The East tramway connecting Pointe-aux-Trembles to Rivière-des-Prairies Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Saint-Léonard, and Montréal-Nord, as recommended by the ARTM and supported by local stakeholders;
- The extension of the Pie-IX BRT to downtown via Notre-Dame and René-Lévesque;
- A new Express Bus Network route on Sherbrooke Street to connect the tip of the island to Lachine, via downtown;
- The continuation of the river shuttle network and the extension of its schedule.
More pleasant and affordable neighborhoods
Projet Montréal also wants to make the East a region of complete, green, and affordable neighborhoods, where each new housing unit is part of a high-quality living environment. This follows their announcements on access to local services (parks, restrooms, culture, public markets, and BIXI) in the vicinity, and those on housing, with the goal of offering a substantial supply of housing sheltered from speculation in order to preserve affordability.
These developments would be accompanied by massive greening, both within the neighborhoods themselves and via an eastern green corridor connecting the St. Lawrence River to the Rivière des Prairies. The goal is to strengthen ecological resilience and improve residents' quality of life.
Quotes
"The East has been neglected for too long. Today, we have a historic opportunity to transform it into an internationally recognized model, but above all to ensure that this transformation benefits first and foremost those who live there. Together, we will bring in universities, innovation and cultural hubs, facilitate mobility to and from the East, and green the neighbourhoods. Transforming the East into a destination for all Montrealers is Projet Montréal's commitment," said Luc Rabouin, candidate for mayor of Montreal.
"The citizens of the East deserve the best. Whether through new affordable housing, greener parks, or solid transportation infrastructure, we want to offer them a living environment that meets their aspirations. The East has been the economic engine of Montreal for decades, and it is time for its residents to reap the benefits. Our promise is simple: the East will be a land of opportunity for everyone," added Caroline Bourgeois, candidate for mayor of Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles.
- 30 -
Source :
Simon Charron
Chief's press officer
Projet Montréal
