Montreal Officials Meet to Launch the 2024 Pre Budget Consultation

In preparation for 2024, the city of Montreal and the Committee on Finance and Administration held its launch of the 2024 Pre Budget Consultation. 

The Pre Budget Consultation is a consultative step in the annual budget process, which allows for Montrealers to express their views on the direction of the next budget. Subsequently, this will guide decisions on operating and capital expenditures for 2024.

During the presentation of the proposals of the Budget Outlook 2024, three main topics were brought up for the pre-budget consultation. The city of Montreal and the committee discussed eco-taxation and taxation, the review of activities and programs, and the matter of agglomeration. The city discussed how those subjects may need to be rethought and others, developed.  

When it comes to the eco-taxation and taxation, the city brought up the kilometre tax, which is the rate charged for road use. This tax allows for user pay principles and modulation to reduce road congestion/traffic, and could be used to fund the road network and public transport as a gradual replacement for the gas tax. They also brought up dynamic pricing, which varies the cost of on-street parking according to supply and demand, impervious surface taxes, development charges, and vacancy taxes, which would be imposed on landlords to push for more people to be housed.

The committee then discussed the review of activities and programs portion of the presentation. They put emphasis on the prioritization of desired services, and the need to review activities by optimizing expenditures and redefining services offered. The city would review services that Montrealers want to be better managed, and for which they want a reduced level of service.

Regarding agglomerations, the city suggested that the expenses of Montreal become shared between all 16 sectors of the city (public safety, water, public transportation, waste management, etc.)

After the presentation, the council opened the floor to questions and comments from the public and the councillors. Public interventions included questions on the subjects of housing vacancy and funding reforms.