Montreal, October 2, 2025 – Mayoral candidate for the metropolis and leader of Ensemble Montréal, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, pledged Thursday morning to establish a maximum standard of 90 days for the issuance of building permits as of right, as well as 25 days for renovation permits for small projects such as replacing doors and windows.
In addition to accelerating housing construction in Montreal, these measures will simplify the process for owners who want to maintain their buildings. It should be noted that between 2019 and 2024, processing times for construction and renovation permits increased significantly, by 111% and 60% respectively.
These commitments will be made possible through the use of artificial intelligence and the implementation of an online portal by the boroughs, inspired by the model already implemented by Saint-Laurent.
Soraya Martinez Ferrada intends to implement these standards in consultation with the Mayors’ Table announced in June for uniform and effective implementation across the city.
Commitments:
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Establish astandard of 90 daysmaximum to obtain a building permit as of right;
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Set a maximum deadline of 25 daysfor renovation permits for minor work such as replacing doors and windows;
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Integrate artificial intelligenceto automate and simplify certain steps in the analysis of permit applications and improve processing speed, in particular through the deployment of an online portal by all districts;
Quotes:
“If we really want to tackle the housing crisis, we need to modernize our practices and remove unnecessary obstacles. A metropolis like Montreal can and must do better. At Ensemble Montréal, we want housing projects to move forward, not be slowed down by administrative burdens.” – Soraya Martinez Ferrada, mayoral candidate for the metropolis and leader of Ensemble Montréal
“Too many construction projects are held up by unjustified delays. Reducing the waiting time for permits not only encourages construction, but also restores the confidence of citizens and community stakeholders. It’s a step forward in unlocking the city’s full housing potential” – Sylvain Gariépy, Ensemble Montréal spokesperson for housing and candidate for mayor of the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough.
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