Muhammad Amanullah
Date: October 2, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —Montreal, Canada — The historic Canada Malting Plant, located in Montreal’s Southwest borough, could collapse at any time, posing a serious threat to public safety.
A new engineering report has described the building as an immediate public safety hazard, stating that, under the current circumstances, controlled demolition is the only feasible and safe solution to address the danger.
Condition of the Building
The Canada Malting Plant is located along the Lachine Canal, and its large brick and concrete structure is visible from a considerable distance. The building has been vacant since 1985, and the site’s well-known, mysterious pink house has also become a distinctive feature of the location.
André Houle, an expert with engineering firm STPING, identified the deteriorating condition of various sections of the building in his report.
Dangerous Wall
The report expresses the greatest concern about one of the building’s exterior sections. According to the engineer, the brick wall has separated from the roof and is hanging in an extremely weakened condition.
If the wall suddenly collapses, debris could fall onto St-Ambroise Street, where pedestrians and vehicles regularly pass.
Immediate Road Closure Recommended
According to engineer André Houle, part of the street must be closed immediately to protect the public. He said there is no other effective option under the current circumstances.
Greater Risk During Winter
The engineering report warns that the risk of the building collapsing could increase further during winter and spring.
Continual fluctuations in temperature can cause water to freeze and thaw, potentially further weakening the building’s already fragile sections. The report also identifies vibrations caused by an earthquake as a possible risk.
Demolition Request Submitted
Following the latest report on the building’s condition and future, the question of demolition has once again come to the forefront.
La Malterie Inc., a subsidiary of the building’s owner, Renwick, has submitted an application to the City of Montreal seeking permission to demolish part of the structure.
The company has stated that immediate action is necessary to protect public safety.
Street Closure
According to officials, part of St-Ambroise Street will be closed during this period to reduce the risk posed by the building’s weakened section.
The City of Montreal has also confirmed that it has received the demolition application and is reviewing it to determine whether the emergency demolition of part of the building is genuinely necessary.
Historical Significance
According to Antoine Poulin, chief of staff to Southwest Borough Mayor Véronique Fournier, city officials met with the building’s owner and engineer André Houle earlier this week.
Poulin said the city must conduct its own assessment of the building before authorizing demolition, as the Canada Malting Plant is considered an important historical heritage site.
Not Every Section Is Considered Dangerous
The municipal administration has clarified that the primary concern identified in the engineering report relates to the deteriorating brick wall facing St-Ambroise Street.
According to officials, the report does not classify the building’s other sections as equally dangerous. A bar and a recreational pathway are located on other sides of the building, but their condition has not been described as being as concerning as that of the wall facing St-Ambroise Street.
Future Redevelopment Plans
The private company that owns the building is already working on plans to redevelop the site.
However, any potential demolition of this historically significant structure, as well as future redevelopment of the property, will require the municipal administration to consider both public safety and the preservation of historical heritage.
