About the CPM
Mission of the Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal
The mission of the Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal is defined in its founding by-law as follows:
- To oversee the protection and enhancement of Montréal’s heritage.
- To participate in efforts to recognize, protect and enhance our heritage made by residents, organizations and other interested parties.
- To contribute to residents’ appropriation of their heritage.
The heritage council carries out these functions for city council, the executive committee, the borough councils, municipal departments and residents. Its role is based on the definition of heritage found in the city’s Heritage Policy, adopted in 2005:
[...] any object or group of objects, natural or cultural, material or immaterial, that a community recognizes for its value of historical significance by emphasizing the need to protect, conserve, appropriate, enhance and promote it. (p. 31).
As part of its advisory role, the heritage council also rules on changes to Montréal’s Master Plan as well as major projects affecting areas recognized for their heritage value.
Furthermore, the Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal:
- Can solicit opinions, receive and hear representatives from any person or group concerning issues related to heritage protection and enhancement, in accordance with the rules of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal.
- Makes recommendations to city council, the executive council, borough councils and municipal departments that study or research related to heritage protection or enhancement be conducted.
- Contributes to the implementation of the city’s Heritage Policy.
- Educates the public by helping to organize activities and develop pedagogical materials.
- Can request that inventories of Montréal’s heritage be made or updated, and set priorities for inventories.
The heritage council also advises the city on the designation of sites, roads, parks, public spaces and buildings. In compliance with standards set by Commission de toponymie du Québec and in collaboration with the Bureau du patrimoine, it reviews designation requests. It proposes urban place names for the name bank that the heritage office uses to suggest new names to city council.
You can consult the French version of our Web site for more information: