Sustainable Development Process

Applying to all Museum and Foundation activities, the Sustainable Development Policy defines the nine guiding principles that underpin their approach to sustainability:

• Preservation and recognition of cultural heritage
• Inclusion and accessibility
• Decolonization
• Social justice and equity
• Health and quality of life
• Environmental stewardship
• Cooperation
• Creativity and innovation
• Sharing and transparency

The Policy has three main components, each of which corresponds to one or more strategies guided by general objectives. With support from the management team and the institution’s full range of services, a committee monitors and oversees the actions set out in a comprehensive plan of action:

Responsible governance

• Incorporate the concept of sustainable development into all practices
• Report on the process and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development

Social and cultural responsability

• Champion the Museum and Foundation values of inclusivity and social justice

Environmental responsability

• Minimize the environmental footprint of Museum and Foundation activities

View the Sustainable Development Policy

Learn about the Museum’s efforts to adopt more sustainable practices. Read this article on the blog and consult the annual reviews below.

2023-2024 annual review (excerpt from the annual report of the McCord Stewart Museum and its Foundation)
2022-2023 annual review (excerpt from the annual report of the McCord Stewart Museum and its Foundation)

The Responsible Procurement Policy is an initiative put forward in the 2022–2027 Sustainable Development Action Plan of the McCord Stewart Museum and its Foundation, which are looking to take concrete action on the environmental front for the benefit of the entire community.

The policy’s goal is to make criteria promoting the acquisition of environmentally, socially and economically sound products and services an integral part of our purchasing habits. Responsible procurement is based on a long-term vision that takes all three aspects into account.

The policy is also a guide for Museum and Foundation staff, board members, volunteers and interns who play a role in the supply chain. In addition, with this new policy, the Museum and its Foundation hope to educate partners and external service providers and encourage them to make sustainable and responsible choices.

The policy is founded on the following guiding principles:

• Local sourcing: Encouraging local sourcing that reflects the specific needs and circumstances of all Museum and Foundation services.
• Ethics: Prioritizing external service providers who share the same values as the Museum and its Foundation in regard to social and environmental matters.
• Restraint and responsible consumption: Changing consumption patterns by implementing a new approach to determine whether a purchase is justified. The Museum and its Foundation must take steps to encourage restraint while maintaining the level of service that their missions require.
• Resource pooling: Sharing internal intellectual resources to advance responsible procurement efforts, knowledge and innovation.
• Exemplarity: Serving as a role model in matters of sustainable development and responsible procurement for other museums and the cultural sector at large.
• Environmental integrity: Opting for procurement practices that reduce the Museum’s and Foundation’s footprint on ecosystems as a whole.

View Responsible Procurement Policy

Environmentally aware and convinced that museums can play a part in the transition to a more sustainable future, the McCord Stewart Museum has set itself the goal of minimizing the amount of waste generated by its exhibitions. During the conception and production of the exhibition Pounding the Pavement: Montreal Street Photography, various eco-design strategies were adopted aimed at reducing its environmental impact.  

The furnishings and other elements used for the exhibition’s installation have been taken almost entirely from the Museum’s existing stocks: 100% of the display cases, 100% of the audiovisual equipment, 100% of the light boxes, 88% of the display walls and 80% of the frames. The few new walls and frames constructed for the project will be added to the Museum’s stocks and reused for future exhibitions. The paint used is 100% acrylic, without volatile organic compounds, and Green Seal certified. The exhibition texts are all printed on new material: the self-adhesive vinyl will be thrown away (since there are no reuse or recycling options), the expanded PVC panels will be reutilized for other projects, and the acid-free cardboard will be recycled or reused. 

White: Walls and furnishings taken from the Museum’s stocks
Red: Walls made from new materials that will be added to the Museum’s stocks

Efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the publication produced to accompany the exhibition have also been made. The book was conceived by Montreal-based design studio Wedge. It was printed in Montreal by Graphiscan, ensuring minimal shipping distances. The publication was printed on FSC-certified paper using vegetable inks. Individual copies have not been wrapped in plastic.

Production costs per book were kept low to encourage higher sales and thereby limit waste. The print run has been kept deliberately low, also to reduce the likelihood of waste.

• Privilege public transit and active transportation, as the Museum is located in downtown Montreal, across the street from McGill University. There is no reserved parking for Museum visitors.
  The Museum is served by the McGill metro station (green line) and the 24 bus on Sherbrooke Street West. Bike parking is available on Victoria Street.  
• Remember to bring your reusable cup for a coffee to go at Café Notman. The Café also has a fresh menu with healthy, local produce.
  To make a reservation, call us at 514 861-6701, ext. 1306. Important notice: We do not take cash. Payment by card only. 
• Bring your water bottle. There’s a fountain on level V of the Museum where you can fill it. 
• Use Tourisme Montréal’s calculator to assess the carbon footprint of your stay in Montreal. You can offset it with a donation if you wish. 

There are several reasons why it’s important to move towards sustainable events  : reduce environmental impact, promote social responsibility and reduce costs among other things. Download our guide for more informations.

Guide to Organizing a Sustainable Event