The City of Montreal is offering 9,000 low-income families the chance to discover Espace pour la vie museums at no cost. These include the Biodome, Botanical Garden, Insectarium, Biosphere, and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. In addition to the free museum pass, tickets for La Ronde as well as STM transportation tickets will also be distributed to community organizations serving the boroughs’ youth.

Biodôme de Montréal – Espace pour la vie. Credit © Eva Blue – Tourisme Montréal

The initiative was announced at the beginning of April by Caroline Bourgeois, vice president of the executive committee and responsible for Espace pour la vie, and Josefina Blanco, the executive committee member responsible for diversity and social inclusion. Carried out as part of Quebec Family Week, the initiative allows the City of Montreal to reach out to vulnerable families who may not be able to afford the cost of admission to one of these institutions.

“It is essential for our administration to ensure that all Montreal families have access to the Espace pour la vie museums. The five institutions are a considerable asset for our city and we must ensure that the entire population can visit them without constraint. This initiative is also an opportunity to educate and raise awareness among our youth about the preservation of our environment and its biodiversity,” said Bourgeois.

The passes, as well as La Ronde tickets and STM transit passes, will be distributed through organizations associated with the Service de la diversité et de l’inclusion sociale (SDIS). The latter will be responsible for giving them to organizations serving families in their territory, including seniors.

Quantities are limited. Low-income families wishing to inquire about tickets are asked to contact their local community organizations to see if they have passes available to distribute.