New free welcome baby boxes for Montreal’s youngest citizens

Starting next year, all new babies born, adopted or newly arrived in Montreal will be entitled to a new free welcome baby box.

The city of Montreal unveiled the new welcome kit made up of useful, durable, fun and local objects that will be offered to all Montreal babies aged 0-12 months in the city’s 45 libraries, starting January 1, 2024.

“It’s a gift to support families and to say that you’re wanted, we want you to stay here and raise kids here,” said Montreal mayor during Monday’s press conference unveiling the box.

All new babies born, adopted or newly arrived in Montreal will be entitled to a new welcome baby box. (Photo Credit: Matt Tornabane, CityNews)

This 100 per cent City of Montreal initiative, developed in collaboration with several administrative units of the City, is a first for a city in Quebec. It will contain useful and educational items valued at $200. In addition, the objects offered will be ecological, safe, non-gendered and will come from local suppliers.

Making families feel welcome in Montreal

Despina Sourias, city councillor for the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough council emphasized that the process took slightly longer than expected but that the city worked hard to ensure that all the products contained in the box aligned with the city’s vision.

“For us it’s important to support families,” said Sourias. “We want families to feel good about being in the city, and we want them to feel like there’s a community around them.”

The boxes will be distributed in libraries and other places of welcome for Montreal residents and will contain twelve items, among them baby pants, a pool diaper, a comforter, a fleece picnic blanket, a toothbrush, a rattle, and a complimentary ticket valid for two adults in a Space for Life museum (children under 4 enter free).

“With quality local services, parks and a safe mobility network, Montreal is a city of choice for families,” said mayor Plante. “We are proud to deploy this initiative, a first in Quebec, which adds to several excellent reasons to choose Montreal to start a family.”

Mayor Valerie Plante at announcement of baby box. (Photo Credit: Matt Tornabane, CityNews)

“In addition to being a symbol of Montreal pride, this box will allow thousands of children and families to benefit from a slightly easier start in life, thus contributing to the quality of life and equality of chances,” added Sourias. “The welcome baby box is one more boost that is part of our strong vision to improve all aspects of the quality of life of families in Montreal.”