The significant citizen mobilization undertaken on this issue demonstrates Montrealers’ attachment to this iconic site located on Mount Royal, where the park meets the downtown core. The five organizations were pleased to see that the OCPM’s recommendations reflected their common goal to adopt an exemplary, bold and consistent vision for the site’s future, for the benefit of the entire community. They have called on the City of Montreal, the Quebec Government and McGill University to take positive action on the commissioners’ recommendations. 

During last November’s public consultation, the five organizations jointly submitted the following five recommendations, all of which were considered in the consultation report phase: 
 

• Urgently restore the now vacant buildings to avoid further deterioration due to disuse
• Assign the emphyteutic lease of the site’s woodlands and naturalized spaces to the City of Montreal so that they can be incorporated into the perimeter of Mount Royal Park and allow for better access from the mountain to the city and vice versa 
• Keep the land in the public domain to avoid fragmenting the site and to ensure that it is consistently managed, maintained and developed over time, regardless of the identity and number of the site’s occupants 
• Implement modern urban planning, governance and funding tools to preserve the site’s integrity, heritage and civic and community cultures
• Hold a formal, separate public consultation on aspects relating to the site’s governance and property ownership, including the development agreement involving the City, the SQI and McGill, as these fundamental issues were not covered in this most recent consultation.
   

We must be visionary, brave and bold! 

The repurposing of the RVH is undoubtedly Montreal’s greatest opportunity in decades to create an extensive space that will benefit its citizens, further innovation and give Quebec and the city international exposure. Using the contributions of local key actors and the entire community as a basis for developing an inspiring vision for an exemplary project, the repurposing of the RVH site could well represent a sustainable legacy for Quebec society. 
With this in mind, our organizations have offered their support in creating the master development plan and putting it into action. The implementation of the commissioners’ recommendations will make this heritage repurposing project worthy of the community’s expectations and of the 21st century.

About our five organizations 

Les Amis de la montagne is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education.

Héritage Montréal works to promote and protect the architectural, historic, natural and cultural heritage of Greater Montreal. This private, non-profit organization is at the heart of an extensive network of partners working through education, cooperation and representation to celebrate, develop and preserve Montreal’s identity and uniqueness..

One of 46 associations in Quebec’s professional system, the Ordre des urbanistes du Québec has the mandate to protect the public by providing a framework for the professional activities of urban planners. The OUQ defends the public interest by promoting integrated and sustainable land development, as well as furthering the development of the skills of its member urban planners.

The Conseil régional de l’environnement de Montréal (CRE-Montréal) is an independent charitable organization dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development on the Island of Montreal since 1996. Through the joint efforts and cooperation of its members, its awareness-raising and public representation activities and its various action projects, the organization contributes to improving the quality of living environments and social equity on the Island of Montreal.

Founded in 1965, the Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec is a professional association dedicated to bringing together, representing and supporting its members and promoting the profession in terms of the protection, enhancement, management and creation of landscapes in all communities and environments, thus contributing to the establishment of sustainable, functional, aesthetically pleasing and healthy living conditions for the population. The Association has more than 520 certified members and over 120 associate members.

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Contacts:

Les Amis de la montagne
Maryline Charbonneau
514 402-8297

Héritage Montréal
Taïka Baillargeon
514-574-3122

Ordre des urbanistes du Québec
David Alfaro Clark
514-576-5026

CRE-Montréal
Emmanuel Rondia
514-799-5864

Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec
Louise Vachon
514-814-3501