The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) has been in the spotlight for several days. Amid this controversy, we believe it is important to distinguish between certain questionable management practices within the organization and the institution itself, which plays an important role in Montréal’s democracy.
It is entirely legitimate to be outraged by the practices of OCPM’s leadership and to demand exemplary conduct from its executives in the interest of sound public financial management. However, questioning the relevance of the institution and the very purpose of public consultation is a step we believe should not be taken.
Since its creation, OCPM has played an important and unique role by enabling Montréal’s civil society as a whole to stay informed, gain a better understanding of issues through access to studies, and make informed contributions to discussions on the plans, policies and major urban development projects that shape our metropolis. The consultations it organizes provide valuable opportunities for residents and participating organizations. They offer a forum to ask questions, put forward ideas, comment on proposals and often encourage the City to demonstrate greater ambition and set a higher standard.
The consultation practices developed by OCPM have influenced both the prevalence and quality of public participation processes conducted by municipal authorities. Over the years, they have helped shift the culture surrounding competing visions of urban development from confrontation towards dialogue and exchange, even if that culture remains imperfect. Of course, there is always room to improve processes, tools and follow-up mechanisms to further strengthen this culture of dialogue.
The Office’s contribution extends beyond whether or not the municipal administration adopts its recommendations, although this remains an important indicator to consider. The benefits for Montrealers are numerous and varied, depending on the project or issue being addressed. The discussions generated by consultations help advance thinking both before and after reports are submitted. They encourage civil society to engage more deeply with the issues and help decision-makers better understand residents’ expectations and aspirations, ultimately leading to improvements in plans, policies and projects.
Several consultations in recent years have been particularly significant. Consider the record participation in the recent Réflexion 2050 consultation on the Projet de Ville, the public mobilization that preceded the development of the Plan directeur du Parc Jean-Drapeau, the intense and constructive debates surrounding the vision for access to Mount Royal, or the consultation on the future of the Pierrefonds-Ouest area, which laid the groundwork for the Grand parc de l’Ouest. We should also recognize consultations addressing issues that shape how Montrealers live together, such as the consultation on systemic racism and discrimination, as well as the consultation on reducing fossil fuel use, which helped set the stage for a new approach to mobilizing efforts to reduce our dependence on hydrocarbons.
That is why, beyond recognizing the importance of this unique institution, there is also an urgent need to reaffirm the value of its role among administrative and political authorities. OCPM’s work fosters collective intelligence and gives civil society a voice. How can a democracy like ours afford to do without such a contribution?
In short, amid this controversy, we believe it is essential to avoid drawing simplistic conclusions that conflate the out-of-touch decisions of a few individuals with the relevance of this democratic institution, which for more than 20 years has provided a constructive framework for freedom of expression and participation in collective dialogue.
Signatories:
- Emmanuel Rondia, Executive Director, Conseil régional de l’environnement de Montréal
- Louise Harel, Member of the National Assembly (1981–2008) and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Greater Montréal (1998–2002)
- Véronique Fournier, Executive Director, Centre d’écologie urbaine de Montréal, and former City Councillor (2009–2013)
- François William Croteau, Executive Director, IRIU, and former Mayor of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (2009–2021)
- Ron Rayside, Rayside-Labossière
- Yves Bellavance, Coordinator, Coalition montréalaise des Tables de quartier
- Hélène Panaïoti, Co-Executive Director, Les Amis de la montagne
- Patricia Clermont, Coordinator, Association québécoise des médecins pour l’environnement (AQME)
- Moridja Kitenge Banza, President, and Emmanuelle Hébert, Executive Director, Culture Montréal
- Linda Collette, Founding Member, Les Amis du Quai de l’Horloge
- Victor Balsis, President, AmiEs du courant Sainte-Marie
- Florence Paulhiac, Professor, Department of Urban and Tourism Studies, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Christine Caron, Board Member, Association des résidants du Vieux-Montréal
- Dinu Bumbaru, Director of Policy, Héritage Montréal
- Malorie Flon, Executive Director, Institut du Nouveau Monde
- Christian Savard, Executive Director, Vivre en Ville
