There are already roughly sixty international organizations in Montréal. They are active in fields such as education, culture, health, society, human rights, tourism and recreation, the environment, natural resources, business management, aerospace, telecommunications, information technologies, communications and financial services, to name just a few

These organizations belong to two major categories: international governmental organizations (IGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). An IGO is defined as association of States formed by treaty, having a shared constitution and bodies and possessing a legal personality separate from its member states [1]. An INGO is an institution created by a mixed private initiative, exclusive of any intergovernmental agreement. It contains private or public, physical or legal persons of various nationalities [2].

[1] Government of Canada, Réponse du Gouvernement fédéral au Rapport du Comité consultatif au Comité interministériel sur le développement de la région de Montréal [ Government Response to the Advisory Committee's Report to the Committee of Ministers on the Development of the Montreal Region ], Montréal, Supplies and Services, 1986, p. 6.

[2] P. Daillier, D. Nguyen Quoc and A. Pellet. Droit International Public , 3 rd Edition, Paris, L.G.D.J., 1987, p. 519.