Transition Montréal propose des fiducies d’utilité sociale pour préserver le Boisé Steinberg, le terrain du CN et le Boisé Vimont

Montréal, le 10 octobre 2025 — Le leader et candidat à la mairie de Transition Montréal, Craig Sauvé, propose la mise en place de fiducies d’utilité sociale (FUS) dans l’arrondissement de Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (MHM) afin de protéger durablement les espaces naturels du Boisé Steinberg, du terrain du CN ainsi que du Boisé Vimont.

Le modèle des FUS, inspiré des fiducies agricoles, permet de détenir et d’administrer des biens immobiliers dans l’intérêt collectif plutôt que dans une logique de propriété privée. Il s’agit d’un outil puissant pour préserver l’abordabilité, protéger les milieux naturels et soutenir les usages citoyens à long terme.

« Les fiducies d’utilité sociale représentent une innovation majeure pour planifier nos quartiers autrement — dans une logique de bien commun plutôt que de profit. Dans un arrondissement aussi vibrant et diversifié que Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, c’est une façon concrète d’assurer la pérennité des espaces verts, particulièrement les terrains du Boisé Steinberg, du terrain du CN et du Boisé Vimont », a déclaré Craig Sauvé, chef de Transition Montréal et candidat à la mairie de Montréal.

Une démarche citoyenne et exemplaire à MHM

Depuis plusieurs années, des initiatives citoyennes et communautaires posent les bases de cette vision.

Le mouvement Mobilisation 6600 lutte depuis près de dix ans pour préserver les espaces verts et milieux naturels de l’est de Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, permettant déjà la protection de plusieurs zones grâce à des changements de zonage ou à des acquisitions publiques.

La création de fiducies d’utilité sociale permettra de regrouper ces efforts dans une structure pérenne, indépendante et collective, garantissant un accès durable à la nature, à des logements hors marché et à des espaces commerciaux abordables.

« La fiducie d’utilité sociale est un projet porteur, né ici même dans notre communauté. C’est une façon pour les citoyen.ne.s d'être au cœur de l’avenir du territoire, en protégeant ce qui fait la richesse de MHM : ses espaces verts, ses logements accessibles et ses commerces de proximité », souligne Anaïs Houde, candidate de Transition Montréal à la mairie de Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. « Nous avons tout à gagner à sortir nos quartiers de la logique spéculative et à bâtir une ville fondée sur la solidarité et la durabilité» a-t-elle ajouté.

Une démarche déjà bien amorcée

L’idéation du projet de fiducie d’utilité sociale a émergé il y a deux ans dans le cadre d’une formation de la Maison de l’innovation sociale, avant de se concrétiser récemment grâce à un accompagnement de ProtecTerre. Cette collaboration citoyenne illustre la capacité de MHM à innover collectivement et à proposer des modèles de gouvernance inspirants pour tout Montréal.

Transition Montréal réaffirme ainsi son engagement à soutenir ce type d’initiative, qui conjugue écologie, justice sociale et participation citoyenne.

L’équipe de Transition Montréal dans Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve est la seule à maîtriser en profondeur le dossier des fiducies d’utilité sociale. Forte de son expérience locale et de son ancrage communautaire, elle incarne une équipe compétente et déterminée à bâtir un modèle de développement fondé sur le bien commun plutôt que sur la spéculation.

Demandes d’entrevues :

medias@transitionmtl.org, 514 505 6161

Transition Montréal proposes a Social Utility Trust to protect the Boisé Steinberg, the CN lands, and the Boisé Vimont

Montréal, October 10, 2025 — Transition Montréal is proposing the creation of a Social Utility Trust (SUT) in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (MHM) to ensure the long-term protection of the Boisé Steinberg, the CN lands, and the Boisé Vimont.

The SUT model, inspired by agricultural land trusts, allows for the ownership and management of property in the collective interest rather than under a logic of private ownership. It is a powerful tool to preserve affordability, protect natural environments, and support citizen-led uses over the long term.

“Social Utility Trusts are a major innovation in rethinking how we plan our neighbourhoods — based on the common good rather than private profit. In a borough as vibrant and diverse as Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, this is a concrete way to ensure the long-term protection of green spaces, particularly the Boisé Steinberg, the CN lands, and the Boisé Vimont,” said Craig Sauvé, leader of Transition Montréal and candidate for Mayor of Montréal.

A citizen-led and exemplary initiative in MHM

For several years, citizen and community initiatives have laid the foundations for this vision.

The group Mobilisation 6600 has been fighting for nearly ten years to protect green spaces and natural habitats in the eastern part of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, already achieving the protection of several sites through zoning changes and public acquisitions.

The creation of Social Utility Trusts would bring these efforts together under a durable, independent, and collective structure, guaranteeing long-term access to nature, as well as to non-market housing and affordable commercial spaces.

“The Social Utility Trust is a promising project born right here in our community. It’s a way for citizens to be at the heart of their neighbourhood’s future, by protecting what makes MHM so rich: its green spaces, affordable housing, and local businesses,” said Anaïs Houde, Transition Montréal candidate for Mayor of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. “We have everything to gain by freeing our neighbourhoods from the logic of speculation and building a city rooted in solidarity and sustainability,” she added.

An initiative already well underway

The idea for the Social Utility Trust project first emerged two years ago during a training program by the Maison de l’innovation sociale, and has recently been formalized with the support of ProtecTerre. This citizen collaboration demonstrates MHM’s capacity for collective innovation and its ability to propose inspiring governance models for all of Montréal.

Transition Montréal reaffirms its commitment to supporting such initiatives, which combine ecology, social justice, and citizen participation.

The Transition Montréal team in Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is the only one with a deep understanding of the Social Utility Trust framework. With its local experience and community roots, the team embodies a competent, committed group determined to build a development model based on the common good rather than speculation.

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Interview requests:

medias@transitionmtl.org, 514-505-6161Transition Montréal proposes a Social Utility Trust to protect the Boisé Steinberg, the CN lands, and the Boisé Vimont

Montréal, October 10, 2025 — Transition Montréal is proposing the creation of a Social Utility Trust (SUT) in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (MHM) to ensure the long-term protection of the Boisé Steinberg, the CN lands, and the Boisé Vimont.

The SUT model, inspired by agricultural land trusts, allows for the ownership and management of property in the collective interest rather than under a logic of private ownership. It is a powerful tool to preserve affordability, protect natural environments, and support citizen-led uses over the long term.

“Social Utility Trusts are a major innovation in rethinking how we plan our neighbourhoods — based on the common good rather than private profit. In a borough as vibrant and diverse as Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, this is a concrete way to ensure the long-term protection of green spaces, particularly the Boisé Steinberg, the CN lands, and the Boisé Vimont,” said Craig Sauvé, leader of Transition Montréal and candidate for Mayor of Montréal.

A citizen-led and exemplary initiative in MHM

For several years, citizen and community initiatives have laid the foundations for this vision.

The group Mobilisation 6600 has been fighting for nearly ten years to protect green spaces and natural habitats in the eastern part of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, already achieving the protection of several sites through zoning changes and public acquisitions.

The creation of Social Utility Trusts would bring these efforts together under a durable, independent, and collective structure, guaranteeing long-term access to nature, as well as to non-market housing and affordable commercial spaces.

“The Social Utility Trust is a promising project born right here in our community. It’s a way for citizens to be at the heart of their neighbourhood’s future, by protecting what makes MHM so rich: its green spaces, affordable housing, and local businesses,” said Anaïs Houde, Transition Montréal candidate for Mayor of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. “We have everything to gain by freeing our neighbourhoods from the logic of speculation and building a city rooted in solidarity and sustainability,” she added.

An initiative already well underway

The idea for the Social Utility Trust project first emerged two years ago during a training program by the Maison de l’innovation sociale, and has recently been formalized with the support of ProtecTerre. This citizen collaboration demonstrates MHM’s capacity for collective innovation and its ability to propose inspiring governance models for all of Montréal.

Transition Montréal reaffirms its commitment to supporting such initiatives, which combine ecology, social justice, and citizen participation.

The Transition Montréal team in Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is the only one with a deep understanding of the Social Utility Trust framework. With its local experience and community roots, the team embodies a competent, committed group determined to build a development model based on the common good rather than speculation.

— 30 —

Interview requests:

medias@transitionmtl.org, 514-505-6161