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It sounds almost like a fairy tale—one key that can open many doors. Yet this has become a reality for the city of Montréal, Canada, which found the Circularity Gap Report Montréal to be just such a key. Yet there is no magic in it—only science.
In 2021, Montréal’s ambition was clear: to develop its first circular economy roadmap. The City had already identified priority value chains, such as construction and textiles, but lacked an answer to a fundamental question: Where do we stand today? The city government was not satisfied with just any answer. It sought a circularity baseline that was comparable to other cities—and to the world. That is why Montréal turned to Circle Economy, the creators of the global Circularity Metric.
The first outcome of this collaboration—Circular Montréal: Baseline Assessment—sparked conversations that shaped the draft roadmap later submitted for public consultation. And yet, it was not enough. Now that it knew its position, the City needed to understand how to move forward strategically, ensuring every action hit the mark.
That's how the Circularity Gap Report Montréal came to life, equipping Montréal with a set of indicators such as material and carbon footprints, as well as the share of secondary inputs in its economy. These metrics were essential for prioritising actions and estimating their impact. Crucially, the report provided the local government with a science-backed conversation starter to engage key stakeholders.
‘The process of working on the CGR Montréal has opened many doors’, says Natacha Beauchesne, Commissioner of Economic Development at the City of Montréal. ‘It sparked dialogue with business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, financial institutions, economic development partners, and other levels of government. It created a shared understanding and a sense of collective responsibility, making stakeholders more willing to commit’.
In May 2024, Montréal adopted its first Circular Economy Roadmap, with targets based on the insights from the CGR Montréal. A year later, a three-year action plan followed, supporting the strategy with concrete actions. It included 20 major actions and CA$7 million in municipal investment with strong leverage effects.
Beauchesne is quick to emphasise that Montréal acts in parallel with planning, not after it. Some programmes in the action plan are a continuation of earlier efforts, for example, support for industrial symbiosis, which has helped over 3,000 SMEs, diverted 5,000 tonnes of materials from landfill, avoided 6,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, and generated CA$12 million in savings and new revenues. However, the plan also includes some unprecedented measures, such as a partnership with a private investment fund and a government agency for Canada’s first circular economy investment fund, as well as new programmes to help businesses transition to circular models.
‘Circularity is no longer just a municipal plan—it’s a movement’, Beauchesne points out. “The roadmap provided the vision. The action plan is delivering results—and fast. We don’t just talk about circularity. We fund it, scale it, and celebrate it”.
Montréal’s Circular Economy Roadmap is just shy of its second anniversary, but the changes it has brought are already visible. A new 10,000-square-foot store now sells second-hand construction materials (RECO), and more than 40 businesses are advancing circular agriculture through a unique local hub (La Centrale agricole). City representatives also point to Renaissance, a social enterprise operating second-hand clothing stores that is exploring the possibility of building Montréal’s first textile recycling facility.
Leading a circular lifestyle in Montréal is still challenging, but it’s getting easier every year. Public libraries now lend not only books, but also musical instruments, sports equipment, and games. Sharing platforms are gaining popularity, enabling neighbours to borrow instead of buying. Repair cafés and second-hand marketplaces are on the rise, while circular retail streets and new collaborative initiatives are taking shape.
According to City representatives, the main challenge today is not a lack of solutions, but making them visible and accessible. Circular initiatives are emerging so quickly that not all residents are aware of them. Raising awareness of circular options is therefore the municipality’s next priority—and this is where the Circularity Gap Report can help spark yet another conversation, this time with all residents of Montréal.
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