By Dimitris Ilias — Park Extension News
The Borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension has tabled its 2026 Operating Budget and its 10-year Capital Works Program (PDI), laying out an ambitious roadmap touching nearly every aspect of daily life in our neighbourhoods, from safer streets and greener parks to housing, cultural life, and local commerce. The document, released ahead of council adoption, provides a detailed picture of what residents of Park Extension can expect in the coming months and years.
A Year Marked by Tangible Achievements
The borough highlights an active 2025, particularly in ecological transition and public space improvements. Park Extension residents may have noticed the expansion of green interventions, including 1,051 new trees planted, the birth of six new green laneways, and major déminéralisation projects removing heat-retaining concrete surfaces. One of the most significant developments has been the launch of the renovation work at Parc George-Vernot, where new sports fields, cycling paths, and biodiversity enhancements were undertaken.
Mobility and safety also saw progress. The borough completed upgrades near several schools. In Park Extension, programs encouraging cycling, including repair workshops and equipment offers saw growing participation.
Quality-of-life initiatives were equally visible. The Place de la Gare Jean-Talon became a summer hub with more than 80 public activities, while the borough deployed 3,000 hours of cleanliness brigades, handled over 2,000 cleanliness requests, and inspected nearly 1,000 rental units to ensure sanitary living conditions. These efforts, along with culturally sensitive mediation services at the Parc-Extension Library, targeted the population’s most urgent needs.
A Balanced 2026 Budget With No Use of Surplus
For 2026, the borough presents a balanced $70.52-million operating budget, funded by local taxes, local revenue, and central transfers from the City of Montreal. Notably, no accumulated surplus is used. Local taxation accounts for $12.3 million, while central transfers make up the bulk at over $54 million.
Residents will see an increase in the local tax rate, now set at 0.0548 per $100 of property assessment, translating to an estimated annual increase of $29 for an average condo and $40 for a typical single-family home.
Among the biggest expense categories for 2026 are public works (streets, snow removal, lighting) at $16.2 million, and parks, culture, and recreation at $32.36 million
What the Ten-Year Capital Plan Means for Park Extension
Beyond 2026, the borough’s 10-year Capital Works Program outlines nearly $90 million in planned investments, with strict requirements that 75 percent go toward maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure.
Parc Bloomfield Renewal
A colourful new play area, aligned with a local mural, is scheduled to transform this well-used neighbourhood space.
Housing, Cohabitation, and a Changing Urban Fabric
The borough acknowledges increasing pressure on housing and social cohesion. In collaboration with community partners, it pledges to support development of new social and affordable units, including at sites such as the former Chinese Hospital and Plaza Hutchison — a file closely watched in Park Extension.
At the same time, VSP will continue investing in mediation, cleanliness brigades, and homelessness-support initiatives to maintain safe and inclusive environments in areas where diverse populations and vulnerable communities interact daily.
An Ambitious Vision Under Budgetary Discipline
Overall, the 2026 budget and long-term investment plan show a borough attempting to balance its growing needs with financial discipline. For Park Extension residents, the document reads as a commitment to safer streets, greener parks, cultural vitality, and cleaner neighbourhoods — while acknowledging that the population’s rapid evolution requires constant adjustments.
A full version of the presentation is available on the borough’s website for residents wishing to explore the details.
