Communication

"The key to living better together" - The Montréal Charter of Rights and Responsabilities in effect since January 1, 2006

Montréal, le 17 janvier 2006 - The Montréal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities came into effect throughout the 19 boroughs of Montréal on January 1, 2006.

The Charter is a tool for dialogue that conveys values of human dignity, tolerance and inclusion, equality, respect, justice and equity as well as openness and democracy.

"This Charter, which is one of the first of its kind in Canada, is designed as a guide to promote harmony between Montrealers and the municipal body. It will enable us to work even better together, for the public interest of our city," said Montréal Mayor, Gérald Tremblay.

The Charter aims at bringing the community, elected officials and civil servants closer together, to promote the development of Montréal, improve service standards, remind citizens of their chief responsibilities, as well as prevent disagreements between Montréal and citizens. It applies to all municipal departments and major municipal areas of intervention, including democratic, economic, social and cultural life, recreation, physical activity and sports, the environment, and sustainable development, safety.

The Montréal Charter provides for a city ombudsman who is responsible for finding solutions to disagreements between citizens and municipal bodies. The ombudsman receives complaints, and is authorized to investigate and arbitrate cases as well as to make recommendations.

The Montréal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities is the outcome of wide-ranging public consultation and the contribution of experts in the field. It was adopted unanimously by the Montréal city council on June 20, 2005. The Charter project was developed by the workshop on democracy, which stems from the Montréal Summit.

The Montréal Charter is available at all Accès Montréal offices, borough offices and on the Montréal Web site at ville.montreal.qc.ca/charterofrights.