THE FACES OFCITIZEN PARTICIPATIONIN MONTRÉALEXHIBITION PRESENTED IN THE HALL OF HONOUR AT MONTRÉAL CITY HALL IN 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD 3

WHEN CITIZENS ENTERED THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE 5

THANKS TO YOU 6

180 YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION 8

THROUGH THE YEARS 10

1833 at 1980 10

1986 at 1995 12

2000 at 2012 14

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR CITY COUNCIL 16

CITY COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES | 1987 18

OFFICE DE CONSULTATION PUBLIQUE DE MONTRÉAL | 2002 20

SOMMET DE MONTRÉAL | 2002 22

OMBUDSMAN DE MONTRÉAL | 2002 24

TASK FORCE ON DEMOCRACY | 2002 26

CONSEIL DU PATRIMOINE DE MONTRÉAL | 2002 28

CONSEIL INTERCULTUREL DE MONTRÉAL | 2002 30

CONSEIL JEUNESSE DE MONTRÉAL | 2002 32

CONSEIL DES MONTRÉALAISES | 2004 34

MONTRÉAL CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES | 2006 36

RIGHT OF INITIATIVE TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION | 2011 38

AWARDS AND RECIPIENTS 40

MUNICIPAL ELECTION 42

IT’S YOUR CITY, GET INVOLVED! 44

Coordination

Sylvie Lalonde

Jules Patenaude

Direction du greffe

Ville de Montréal

French revision

Colette Schwartz

Communications Affaires publiques

English translation

Joanne Gibbs

Graphic design

RouleauPaquin.com

Legal deposit

Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2013

Library and Archives Canada

ISBN

978-2-7647-1228-3 (Print)

978-2-7647-1229-0 (PDF)

978-2-7647-1224-5 (French print)

978-2-7647-1225-2 (French PDF)

FOREWORD

This publication retraces the exhibition

Les visages de la participation citoyenne à Montréal,

presented in the Hall of Honour at Montréal

City Hall in 2013.

A unique look at Montrealers’ participation in their city’s affairs, the exhibition

invites you to discover the major steps in the evolution of Montréal democracy.

From the election, in 1833, of the city’s first mayor, Jacques Viger, to the first

question voiced by a citizen in a city council meeting in 1986, the creation

of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal, and the live webcasting

of city council and executive committee meetings, the reader will be taken back

through more than 180 years of milestones in municipal democracy.

The exhibition was the brainchild of the Task Force on Democracy, a Ville de

Montréal work group composed of some 15 citizens and a few civil servants.

Established upon the closing of the Sommet de Montréal in 2002, the Task

Force has developed, with Montréal, a number of innovative tools promoting

democracy and participation.

The exhibition was produced by the Ville de Montréal and the Task Force

on Democracy, in cooperation with the Archives de Montréal, the city

council chair’s office, and the Centre d’histoire de Montréal.

2 3

On December 16, 1986, citizens enter Montréal city hall through

the main entrance to attend a council meeting. With this gesture

of openness, the Ville de Montréal signals that it will henceforth

warmly welcome Montrealers into “their” house. Previously, citizens

could only enter city hall through the doors on Gosford Street

or Place Vauquelin.

WHEN CITIZENSENTERED THROUGHTHE MAIN ENTRANCE

4 5

THANKS TO YOUThe citizens are the ones who

have made, make, and will make

democracy in Montréal. Thousands

of them participate every year to

influence decisions.

We hope that this presentation

will encourage you to join those

true builders of Montréal. We wish

you a pleasant visit.

THANKS TO YOU

Through this exhibition, you will discover whyMontréal attracts worldwide interest in terms of citizen participation. Among other things, you will be introduced to a wide range of instruments thathave been used by citizens for over 25 years.

INFLUENCING DECISIONSWhy has such effort been invested,

since 1986, by the municipal

departments, boroughs and

neighbourhoods? To meet citizens’

requests to participate in their city’s

affairs and take part in decisions

that concern them, to make room

for creativity, and to encourage

debates that improve Montréal’s

ideas and projects.

The municipal bodies that foster

participation form a unit that

continues to perfect itself, with the

help of citizens, year after year.

6 7

Public meeting on the future Quartier de la gare in Pointe-aux-Trembles

180 YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION

The history of municipal democracy in Montréal officially begins in 1833 with the election of its first mayor, Jacques Viger. From that time until today, Montréal would evolve under a variety of democratic regimes.

WHO CAN VOTE?For a long time, only a minority

had the right to vote in Montréal:

initially, only male property owners,

followed by taxpaying renters in

1860. At the end of the 19th century,

the secret ballot was adopted.

Adult women and widows who

owned property were given the

vote, followed by female renters

in 1899.

EVERYBODY CAN VOTE! It wasn’t until the municipal elections

in 1970 that all Montrealers

were granted access to the polls.

Universal suffrage was finally

achieved. The number of voters

jumped from 380,068 in 1966,

to 698,369 in 1970. In 1980,

municipal political parties were

officially recognized by the Québec

government and, a few years later,

elected members of city council

could be reimbursed for research

and support expenses.

Jacques Viger, first mayor of Montréal 1970 – Municipal election: electors’ list

8 9

To learn more about municipal democracy:

ville.montreal.qc.ca/archives/democratie

1833-1980

10 11

First woman electedto city council, JessieKathleen Fischer

THROUGH THE YEARSMONTRÉAL DEMOCRACY WAS 180 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

1889

Vote by secret ballot

1921

Creation of the executive committee

1940

Establishment of three classes of councillors:

Class A (elected by propertyowners)

Class B (elected by propertyowners and renters)

Class C (appointed byMontréal associationsand organizations)

1960 –1962

Abolition of the C Class of councillors

Abolition of the A Class of councillors

Jacques Viger commission

1970

First universal-suffrage municipalelections inMontréal

1980

Official recognitionof municipal partiesby the QuébecGovernment

Citizens may henceforth ask written questionsfrom city councilunder a QuébecGovernment law.

1833

First municipal elections

The 16 electedcouncillors appoint,from among theirranks, the firstmayor of Montréal,Jacques Viger.

1852

First electoral list

The mayor is elected by all voters.

1874

Creation of aldermanic committees (abolished in 1909)

1947 – Montréal municipal election: counting of the ballots

1986-1995THROUGH THE YEARS

12 13

A PROLIFERATIONSince 1986, there have been numerous advancements inMontréal democracy. The major milestones are as follows:

1988

City council committee composed of elected officials – public hearings on the public consultation policy statement

Establishment ofborough councils,local consultationbodies composed of elected officials,initially known asdistrict advisorycommittees (9)

Bureau de consul-tation de Montréal(BCM)

1990

Montréal advisorycommittee onintercultural andinterracial relations

1994

Montréal Office of the Mediator, a position held byan elected official

Abolition of theBureau de consul-tation de Montréal

From 1989 to 1994,the BCM held publichearings on variousprojects, including:the developmentand enhancementof Mount Royal; the integrated management ofsolid waste andrecyclable materials;the establishment ofa municipal library in the Rivière-des-Prairies area; and the redevelopment of the Marché centralmétropolitain.

1986

City council – public oral question period

1987

City council – first five (5) standingcommittees on city council

First edition of the Jeune conseil de Montréal, mockcity council meetingsheld by youngMontrealers

Montréal advisorycommittee for the protection ofcultural property

Consultation committee on theexpansion projectfor the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal – first ad hoc consul-tation committeecomposed of commissioners from civil society

A total of six ad hoc consultation committees wereformed in 1987 and1988 to measurecitizens’ opinions on a variety of subjects, from theestablishment of the World Trade CentreMontréal, to thedevelopment andenhancement ofParc Ahuntsic andthe area surroundingthe Henri-Bourassametro station, andthe directionalstatement for thedevelopment of theCentre (Ville-Marie)borough.

Decentralization –Division of the territory into nine (9)boroughs andestablishment of 13 AccèsMontréal offices

1989

Montréal declara-tion against racialdiscrimination –adopted by citycouncil

1995

Committee for the revision of public participationand consultationprocedures at theVille de Montréal – ad hoc city councilconsultation com-mittee made up of elected officials

Abolition of borough councils

Montréal urbandevelopment commission (MUDC)

Neighbourhoodcouncils (16)

City council standingcommittees, hence-forth numbering two (2):

-Administration and citizen services committee

- Finance and economic development committee

Montréal advisorycommittee on intercultural relations

1989 – City Hall: Open House Day

2000-2012THROUGH THE YEARS

14 15

2004

Conseil desMontréalaises

2006

New Ville de Montréal – The number of boroughs dropsfrom 27 to 19 following the referendums on the municipal mergers in 2005.

Montréal agglome-ration council

2009

Right of initiative to public consulta-tions for citizens –unanimouslyadopted by city council

2000

Consultation com-mittee on the UrbanPlanning PublicConsultation Policy –an ad hoc consul-tation committeecreated by city counciland composed ofcommissioners from civil society

2002

Municipal reorgani-zation of Island ofMontréal territory(municipal mergers)

The council recognizes the citycouncil chair as the guardian of the democratic values of city hall.

Public question period introduced in 27 borough coun-cils newly created by the QuébecGovernment. The boroughs alsoestablish various participation mecha-nisms, such as publicconsultation mee-tings on matters pertaining to urbanplanning, advisoryplanning committees,commissions, com-mittees of electedofficials, and workgroups involving citizens.

There are nowseven (7) councilstanding committees.

Task Force onDemocracy

Comité ad hoc d’architecture etd’urbanisme

Conseil du patri-moine de Montréal

Conseil interculturelde Montréal

Conseil jeunesse de Montréal

Office de consul-tation publique deMontréal (OCPM)

Ombudsman de Montréal – The Office of theOmbudsmanreplaces the Officeof the Mediator

Sommet de Montréal

2005

Montréal Charter of Rights andResponsibilities –adopted unanimouslyby city council

Montréal’s publicconsultation andparticipation policy

2011

Standing committees – They now numbernine (9).

2012

Mayor of Montréal’sDemocracy Award

Live webcasting of executive com-mittee meetings

Jacques Viger committee

2012 – City Hall: registration for the city council meeting question period

2010

Live webcasting of city council meetings

CONSOLIDATION

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR CITY COUNCIL

On December 16, 1986, eight citizens voiced theirquestions (four in French and four in English) to city council, chaired by city councillor André Berthelet.

The first person to speak in Englishwas Mr. Dominique Neuman, and, in French, Mr. Jean-Jacques Bohémier.Elected officials were asked questionsabout condo conversions, housing-coop financing, bicycle parking andother subjects.

From 1980 to 1986, citizens whowanted to ask city council questionshad to do so in writing and sendtheir requests to the city clerk.

Today, people show up before thecouncil meeting to register, statingthe topic of the question and thename of the elected official towhom it is addressed. Citizens are chosen to speak by a draw. The question period lasts 60 minutes,with the option to extend it by30 minutes. Questions may also beaddressed to city council membersin writing through the city clerk at least 15 juridical days before the council meeting.

EVER CLOSERIn 2002, with the establishment of

the new Ville de Montréal, citizens

were granted a question period

in all borough council meetings.

Again in the name of openness

and accessibility, city council

meetings started to be webcast

live on March 22, 2010, and

executive committee meetings

on December 5, 2012.

16 17

A FIRST IN MONTRÉAL

1986 – Dominique Neuman, first citizen to voice a question to city council

Photo: Tedd Church, The (Montreal) Gazette, 1986

1987 – City council meeting: a citizen addresses a question to elected officials

ville.montreal.qc.ca

CITY COUNCIL STANDINGCOMMITTEES

Composed of elected officials, the standing committees have seen their numbers change since their creation in 1987.

Today numbering nine, these city

council public consultation bodies

make it possible to collect the

opinions of citizens on a multitude

of subjects, including economic

development, finance, public

safety, heritage and culture,

transportation, public works,

the environment and sustainable

development.

18 19

COLLECTING OPINIONS

FOR EXAMPLE:■ Street crossings■ The sale of food

on public property■ The sharing of bicycle paths■ The Cultural Development Policy■ The issue of homelessness■ The disinfection of waste water ■ Budget forecasts and

the three-year capital expenditures program

■ Tasers ■ The citizens’ question period

in council meetings

For information about committee workschedules or any other questions:

ville.montreal.qc.ca/commissions

1987

2013 – Public consultation on the future of Old Montréal

OFFICE DE CONSULTATION PUBLIQUEDE MONTRÉAL

Composed of ad hoc commissioners

who are neither elected officials nor

employees of Montréal, the OCPM

carries out public consultation

mandates at the request of the

city council or executive committee.

DISCUSSING THE FUTUREThe consultations pertain to

community equipment, major

infrastructures, major residential,

commercial or industrial esta-

blishments, urban renewal, major

policies, the Montréal Master Plan

and amendments to by-laws to

allow such projects to proceed.

20 21

NEUTRALITY AND INDEPENDENCE

MONTREALERS GET INVOLVEDIn 2012 alone, the OCPM

organized and held some ten

major public consultations dealing

with major real estate projects,

significant neighbourhood planning

projects, and specific issues such as

urban agriculture. Over ten years,

the Office has held more than

100 consultations, allowing

25,000 Montrealers to discuss and

influence the future of their city.

ocpm.qc.ca

2002

2006 – Public consultation on the project to implement theCentre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM)

One night at a meeting in tiny

premises in the middle of the

area concerned by the consul-

tation in question, some of the

citizens decided to have it out

with the commission chair.

The atmosphere was tense,

but the chair’s explanations

of the consultation rules and

their merit helped to establish

a feeling of trust.

I am privileged to be an active

participant in the OCPM, which

has established practices offering

transparency, quality information,

and respect for individuals.

Viateur ChénardCommissioner

Created in the wake of the establishment of the newcity in 2002 and following the report of the ad hoc consultation committee on the Urban Planning PublicConsultation Policy, the Office de consultation publiquede Montréal (OCPM) organizes public consultations and meetings that are credible, transparent, and as effective as possible.

SOMMETDE MONTRÉAL

To this day, the Sommet de Montréal remains animportant event in the history of Montréal municipaldemocracy. Preceded by 27 borough summits and 14 sectoral summits, this major gathering took placein June 2002.

It allowed the new Ville de Montréal

and its citizens to identify priority

actions together. In total, some 4000

citizens from all Montréal areas and

lines of activity participated, from

March to June, in determining the

future of their city.

2000 PROJECTSThe citizens’ participation led

to over 2000 projects arising

from the borough summits

and some 100 more covering

the Montréal territory as a whole.

These projects pertained to main

lines of activity, involving civil

society, elected officials,

and Montréal civil servants:

- Democratic life

- Economic and cultural development

- Sports and recreation

22 23

MAKING OUR CITY WORK, TOGETHER

- Social and community development

- Urban infrastructures

- Sustainable development and environment

- Urban development and transportation

- Public and civil safety ville.montreal.qc.ca/sommet

2002

DISCUSS EVERYTHING, DO WHAT’S BESTAt the Sommet, Montrealers discussed

economic development, innovation,

knowledge, international recognition,

heritage, peace, the fight against

poverty, fairness, diversity, transpor-

tation, sustainable development,

ecology and democracy, to the

benefit of the entire community.

SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS RESULTING FROM DECISIONS MADE AT THE SOMMET WITH CITIZENS ■ The Quartier des spectacles■ The rehabilitation of the water

distribution system and sewers■ The library consolidation plan■ The Table de concertation du Mont-Royal■ The Ombudsman de Montréal■ Universal access to municipal buildings

and services

Quartier des spectacles Mount Royal

2002 – Marché Bonsecours, Sommet de Montréal

OMBUDSMAN DE MONTRÉAL

RESPECT AND FAIRNESS As a priority which emerged

from the Sommet de Montréal,

Ville de Montréal’s decision to

create an Ombudsman’s position,

in 2002, was very much d’avant-

garde. The City of Toronto followed

through, a few years later, and

established a similar office. In 2006,

the Québec Government adopted

new legislation which recognized

and defined the parameters of

Municipal Ombudsmans.

The Ombudsman de Montréal is

a non political body, impartial and

independent from the municipal

administration and the elected

officials. It investigates complaints

from citizens who believe they are

adversely affected by a decision or

action of Ville de Montréal or its

agents. The Ombudsman can also

intervene on its own motion

whenever it believes a situation may

be unfair to one or more citizens.

24 25

2002You have demonstrated

professionalism, diplomacy

and even empathy, at times,

while remaining totally impartial.

Thank you so much for

everything.

Louise citizen

AN ACCESSIBLE “LAST RECOURSE”Before taking on a complaint,

the Ombudsman makes sure

that the relevant borough or

department director has been

given the opportunity to address

the citizen’s concerns.

The Ombudsman de Montréal

services are free of charge

and very easy to access.

Ombudsman de Montréal and her team

ombudsmandemontreal.com/en

IN A SOLUTION MODE!The Ombudsman de Montréal

has the power to investigate most

administrative municipal issues:

denial of a permit; renovation

subsidies; urbanism and zoning;

nuisances; universal access issues;

maintenance of parks and green

spaces; traffic; libraries; and so

much more. The Ombudsman also

offers the only recourse available

to ensure compliance with the

Montréal Charter of Rights and

Responsibilities.

The Ombudsman’s office is a team

of dedicated personnel who takes

time to understand the various

points of view and usually finds

satisfactory and viable solutions

to the problems it has identified.

2007 – Task Force on Democracy, Forum on participation. Speech by Mr. José Fogaça, Mayor of Porto Alegre

TASK FORCE ON DEMOCRACY

The Sommet de Montréal was very prolific. Since 2002,citizens have become personally involved by participatingin the Task Force on Democracy.

With the support of a few members of Montréal’s public services, this highly active informal work group,under the responsibility of the mayor of Montréal, hastaken on an ambitious mandate: to foster participation,by developing various tools, and arouse interest in Montréal’s affairs.

■ The Montréal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities (2005)

■ The Right of initiative to public consultations (2010)

■ The Montréal’s public consultation and participation policy (2005)

■ The Mayor of Montréal’s Democracy Award (2012)

26 27

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MONTRÉAL AND CIVIL SOCIETY

ville.montreal.qc.ca/taskforceondemocracy

2002

■ A dynamic Web site, Montréal, je fais ma ville ici, suggesting

various ways to participate in

improving the quality of life in

Montréal and providing references

and tools to that effect (2011)

■ Two practical guides on partici-

pation addressed to citizens

and developers (2005)

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCEIn existence for over 10 years,

the Task Force on Democracy

is a prime example of effective

cooperation between citizens

and Montréal. It is a unique

experience in the annals of

municipal democracy.

THE TASK FORCE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Dorchester Square

CONSEIL DU PATRIMOINE DE MONTRÉAL

TEN YEARS OF HERITAGEThe members of the Conseil

du patrimoine de Montréal (CPM)

are passionate about what they do.

They are appointed owing to their

interest in Montréal’s heritage and

their expertise relating to various

aspects of natural or cultural heritage,

such as architecture, landscape archi-

tecture, urban planning, ecology,

history and art. This expertise, and

its cooperation with partners, provide

the CPM with an overall view of

heritage issues and their impact

on Montréal territory.

In 2003, just a few months after

its creation, the CPM published

opinions, notably on the Declaration

of Mount Royal as a historic and

natural district, and contributed

to the development of the Ville

de Montréal Heritage Policy. Over

the years, the CPM would play an

important role in numerous heritage

projects, including the recognition

of Dorchester Square, and the

redevelopment of Place du Canada,

Champ-de-Mars, Place d’Armes

and many other sites.

28 29

ville.montreal.qc.ca/cpm

2002Since the creation of the Conseil

du patrimoine in 2002, I had

wanted to participate in that

advisory body owing, on the

one hand, to my strong interest

in Montréal’s history and built

environment and, on the other,

to the fact that the CPM seemed

to me like a unique forum for

interdisciplinary discussions that

could shed new light on current

urban planning issues.

Claire Poitras Member (2007-2011)

MEMBERSThe members of the Conseil du

patrimoine are civilians appointed

by city council following a public

call for nominations. Over ten years,

35 people have sat on the Conseil,

which has met more than 150 times.

Some 1500 heritage files have been

examined, and 550 opinions

and memoranda published

on its Web site.

CONSEIL INTERCULTURELDE MONTRÉAL

WELCOMING DIVERSITYMontréal is the third Canadian city

in terms of largest population

born abroad, i.e.:

■ 740,400 people born abroad;

■ More than 100 ethnocultural communities;

■ And as many mother tongues throughout the city;

■ In 2010, some 40,000 immigrants set up residence in Montréal.

Since 2003, the Conseil interculturel

de Montréal (CiM) has published

opinions on topics of interest to

cultural communities and on issues

pertaining to intercultural relations

under municipal authority. It makes

recommendations to the city council

and executive committee. Moreover,

the CiM solicits opinions and conducts

studies that are useful and necessary

to the development of harmonious

relations among citizens of all origins.

30 31

ville.montreal.qc.ca/cim

2002I would like to express my satis-

faction and pride in the many

activities of the Ville de Montréal,

such as the Montréal Declaration

for Social Diversity and Inclusion,

its participation in the Interna-

tional Coalition of Cities Against

Racism, and the international

recognition of the Council of

Europe for all its activities in

the intercultural arena, for which

Montréal deservedly earned the title

of Intercultural City in 2011.

Habib El-HageVice-president (2006-2009)

MEMBERSIts membership is a reflection

of the Montréal community.

The members are chosen in view

of their interest and experience

in matters pertaining to intercul-

tural relations. They are civilians

appointed by city council following

a public call for nominations.

Since its creation, more than

50 people have sat on this council.

The CiM’s accomplishments include

the publication of important opinions,

notably on immigration and inte-

gration, the fight against racism

and discrimination, civic participation,

access to employment equity,

and religious diversity.

2013 – Members of the Conseil interculturel de Montréalwith elected officials

CONSEIL JEUNESSE DE MONTRÉAL

THE VOICE OF YOUTHMontréal created the Conseil jeunesse

de Montréal (CjM) in 2002 to take

into account the concerns and opinions

of young Montrealers ages 12 to 30

years and invite them to participate

in decisions that concern them. This

was one of the priorities identified

at the Sommet de Montréal.

In addition to submitting opinions

to the municipal administration on

issues concerning young people,

the 15 members, representative

of the diversity of Montréal’s youth,

maintain constant ties with elected

officials and the territory’s various

youth organizations. They carry out

numerous forward-looking projects,

including the Journée des jeunes

Montréalais.

The CjM also represents Montréal

abroad. For example, CjM members

attended the International Peace

Conference in Hiroshima in 2011,

and were among a delegation of

eight young Montrealers sent to

the Shanghai 2010 World Expo

to promote Espace Montréal.

32 33

www.cjmtl.comfacebook.com/cjmtltwitter.com/cjmtl

2002I joined the Conseil jeunesse

de Montréal three years ago

to play an active role in youth

development by facilitating

links with elected officials and

promoting citizen participation.

I am proud to witness the imple-

mentation of our recommendations,

such as the BIXI public bike system

and the professional mentoring

program. The CjM is living proof

that perseverance pays off, as it

can take some time to bring

a project to fruition.

Jessy Thermil Vice-president

MEMBERSThe members of the CjM are civilians

appointed by city council following

a public call for nominations.

Since its creation, 80 young

people have sat on this council.

2004 – First members of the Conseil des Montréalaises

CONSEIL DES MONTRÉALAISES

PROMOTING EQUALITYOn September 26, 2004, city council

appointed the first 15 members of

the new Conseil des Montréalaises.

Female citizens and groups of women

had been actively involved for years

to bring about such an entity, which

was another priority stemming from

the Sommet de Montréal.

The Conseil’s mandate is to advise

the administration on any subject

that may impact the living conditions

of Montréal women and on any

subject related to equality between

women and men.

The Conseil also has a mandate

to contribute to and follow up on

the implementation of the policy

Pour une participation égalitaire

des femmes et des hommes à

la vie de Montréal, adopted by

Ville de Montréal in 2008.

The Conseil is well attuned to

Montréal’s various women’s networks

and groups, and plays an educational

and awareness-raising role with

Montréal elected officials and

civil servants.

34 35

2004In general, it is difficult for

women to gain access to the

powers that be. Our living envi-

ronments, our streets, our neigh-

bourhoods, all readily accessible,

are usually our primary concerns

and our main arenas for expression,

where we exercise democratic

participation. To ensure that

Montréal belongs to Montréal

women, we must cultivate those

spaces. That is why I am here.

Anne Richard-Webb Member

MEMBERSThe members of the Conseil

des Montréalaises are civilians

appointed for a three-year term

by city council following a public

call for nominations. Since its

creation, 50 women have sat

on this council.

Would you like to participate?

ville.montreal.qc.ca/conseildesmontrealaises

MONTRÉAL CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

THE KEY TO LIVING BETTER TOGETHERInspired by important documents,

such as The Universal Declaration of

Human Rights and those on human

rights in Québec and Canada, the

Task Force on Democracy spent a

great deal of time on developing

the Montréal Charter of Rights

and Responsibilities. The Charter,

unanimously adopted by city council,

came into force on January 1, 2006.

It acts as a guideline for all aspects

of municipal activities. The document

invites citizens to work with Montréal

to improve the quality of life, inspired

not only by the rights and responsi-

bilities, but also the values it sets out.

36 37

2006A RICH AND ENDURING TEXTThe Charter focuses on the values

of human dignity, justice, peace,

equality, transparency and democracy.

Those same values are the foundation

for the human rights recognized

by the United Nations.

The Charter sets out rights and

responsibilities pertaining to demo-

cratic life and citizen participation,

economic and social life, culture

and heritage, leisure, physical and

sports activities, environment and

sustainable development, safety

and municipal services in general.

It provides an application mecha-

nism, the Ombudsman de Montréal,

for citizens who believe that their

rights have been violated.

One of the ultimate goals of the

Montréal Charter is to help citizens

to live better together, an end-purpose

permeating the history of Montréal,

as its motto is Concordia Salus,

salvation through harmony. And we

owe this motto to Jacques Viger,

the first mayor of Montréal, in 1833.

A CHARTER FOR CITIZENSDeveloped by and for citizens,

this fundamental document is often

cited by the international community,

notably by UNESCO, as an exemplary

tool promoting municipal democracy

and the inclusion of all citizens.

ville.montreal.qc.ca/charteofrights

A FIRSTIn 2011, the right of initiative was

used for the first time by the Groupe

de travail en agriculture urbaine. More

than 29,000 signatures were collected,

although only 15,000 were required

for a subject under central jurisdiction.

The Office de consultation publique

de Montréal held a public consultation

on the issue in the spring of 2012,

and released its report on October 3,

2012. Following the consultation,

Montréal created the Comité de

travail de la collectivité montréalaise

sur l'agriculture urbaine, with the

participation of civil society to

develop best practices in that area.

Youth Gardens, Montréal Botanical Garden

RIGHT OF INITIATIVE TO PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

CITIZENS IN ACTIONThe highly innovative right of initiative

allows citizens to obtain, by filing

a petition, the holding of a public

consultation on projects, ideas and

causes near to their hearts.

Resulting from the Montréal Charter

of Rights and Responsibilities,

this right allows citizens to make

a positive contribution to the deve-

lopment of their city or borough.

38 39

For information on the procedure to follow andthe number of signatures required, please see:

ville.montreal.qc.ca/right-initiative

2011

2012 – OCPM consultation on urban agriculture

AWARDSAND RECIPIENTS

Montréal has established three awards to recognizeremarkable accomplishments by citizens and organizationsin various areas pertaining to citizen involvement and participation.

THÉRÈSE-DAVIAU AWARD (2004)

Created in 2004, the Prix Thérèse-Daviau is presented to individuals who have distinguishedthemselves through their exceptionalcontribution to improving Montrealers’quality of life.

To date, it has been awarded to Ms. Lucia Kowaluk, Ms. Olga Hrycak,Ms. Twinkle Rudberg, Ms. MoniqueLefebvre, Ms. Claire Morrissette(posthumously), Father Emmet Johns,and Ms. Léonie Couture.

Ms. Thérèse Daviau was one of thefirst women elected to city council.She was a member of Montréal’sexecutive committee in the 1990s,and dedicated 25 years of her life to representing the concerns ofMontrealers.

40 41

ABE-LIMONCHIK INTERCULTURAL AWARD (2009)

Created in 2009 in honour of formercity councillor Abe Limonchik, theaward is presented to three recipients,an individual, an organization, and a business, having made an excep-tional contribution to interculturalrelations in Montréal.

To date, Ms. Marie-Claude Barey, Mr. Gérard Le Chêne, the Associationmultiethnique pour l’intégration despersonnes handicapées, Mr. JavierSan Juan, the Centre d’appui auxcommunautés immigrantes, and the Pimiento production house havebeen honoured with this recognition.

Mr. Abe Limonchik distinguished himself through his activities to helpbring communities of different originscloser together.

First recipient, Marie-Claude Barey, signing the gold book

First recipient, Lucia Kowaluk, second from right

MAYOR OF MONTRÉAL’S DEMOCRACY AWARD (2012)Proposed by the Task Force onDemocracy to recognize democraticinvolvement, the award honoursMontréal individuals, groups andorganizations who have distin-guished themselves through theiractivities promoting democracy and citizenship in Montréal.

The Centre d’éducation et d’actiondes femmes de Montréal and theGroupe de travail en agricultureurbaine were the joint winners of the first Mayor of Montréal’sDemocracy Award, in 2012.

In 2013, the award was presented toCulture Montréal, and honourablementions went to the Écomusée du fier monde and the organizationATSA.

First joint recipient: Groupe de travail en agriculture urbaine

First joint recipient: Centre d’éducation et d’action des femmes de Montréal

MUNICIPALELECTION

The exercise of the right to vote is fundamental in any democracy. From the first municipal election in Montréal to the establishment of universal suffragein 1970, this has remained the most important demo-cratic act by thousands of citizens, carried out on a set date every four years.

Under the provisions of the Act respecting electionsand referendums in municipalities, the city clerk acts asReturning Officer. As such, he is responsible for ensuringthat such suffrage is exercised in the prescribed form.

TO THE POLLS!

The 2013 election aims to fill 103 positions in 58 electoral districts

throughout Montréal and its 19 boroughs.

On November 3, 2013, some 1,100,000 voters are called to the polls to elect:

■ the mayor of the city, who is also mayor of the Ville-Marie borough;

■ 18 borough mayors, who are also members of city council;

■ 46 city councillors;

■ 38 borough councillors.

In 2017, the general election will be held on November 5.

42 43

MY CITY, MY VOTE

PROMOTING PARTICIPATIONFor every election, Montréal

establishes measures for voters

in general and particular groups,

such as young people, people

of various origins, and homeless

people, to promote participation

in the poll.

www.mycitymyvote.ca

DON’T MISS OUT■ Assert your democratic right!

■ Take advantage of this means of expression not properly available in many societies!

We hope that this exhibition will make you want to get involved in

the affairs of your city and neighbourhood to make them into living

environments that meet your expectations, and to express your

opinions and concerns in order to influence decisions on issues that

concern you. By becoming involved, you join the tens of thousands

of builders who have tirelessly shaped Montréal in their own ways

throughout its 180 years of municipal democracy.

IT’S YOUR CITY, GET INVOLVED!

44

This exhibition was produced by Ville de Montréal and the Task Force on Democracy with the participation of:

Archives de Montréal

Bureau de la présidence du conseil

Centre d’histoire de Montréal

Commissions permanentes du conseil de ville

Conseil interculturel de Montréal

Conseil jeunesse de Montréal

Conseil des Montréalaises

Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal

Direction du greffe – élection Montréal

Office de consultation publique de Montréal

Ombudsman de Montréal

Service du capital humain et des communications

Photographs and illustrations:

Archives de Montréal

Denis Labine, photographer – Direction du greffe, Ville de Montréal

Philippe Béha, illustrator

The Montreal Gazette

Graphics:

François Beauchamp – Direction des communications, Ville de Montréal

Design and writing:

Grégory Kunz, Sylvie Lalonde, Jules Patenaude – Direction du greffe, Ville de Montréal

Benoit Gignac, consultant

April 2013

Task Force on Democracy

Members representing civil society

Mr. Dimitri Roussopoulos, president

Mr. Warren Allmand

Mr. Claude Beaulac

Mr. Claude Béland

Mr. Pierre Bélec

Ms. Ilona Dougherty

Ms. Gaëlle Janvier

Ms. Anne Kettenbeil

Mr. Jean-Noé Landry

Mr. Michael Lenczner

Ms. Sharon Leslie

Ms. Anjali Mishra

Mr. Benoit Racette

Ms. Caroline Rioux

ville.montreal.qc.ca/chantierdemocratie