Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a position supporting an additional expense for the existing Peraton International LLC contract to update the SPVM’s computer-aided dispatch system. The proposed increase covers the higher Canadian-dollar cost caused by exchange-rate changes; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The additional authorization is $52,547.16, taxes included, bringing the contract’s authorized total to $1,048,531.34, taxes included.
- The contract’s US-dollar amount does not change. The increase covers the cost of paying that amount in Canadian dollars, plus a reserve for further exchange-rate changes.
- The resolution authorizes the director of the city’s Public Safety and Justice Division to sign documents related to the contract.
- City staff say the system supports emergency-call dispatch while the SPVM awaits a replacement system expected by the end of 2027.
What it means for you#
- Residents: The decision does not directly change residents’ rights or services. City staff say the added authorization is intended to help the SPVM keep using the dispatch system.
- SPVM: The additional amount would cover currency-related costs under the existing contract. The supplier has delivered its planned work, according to city staff.
- Agglomeration: It would bear 100% of the expense because it concerns the SPVM, a shared agglomeration responsibility.
Money#
The proposed additional expense is $52,547.16, taxes included ($47,982.56 net of tax rebates).
- The total authorized amount would rise from $995,984.18 to $1,048,531.34, taxes included.
- The expense would be funded under agglomeration borrowing bylaw RCG 15-039. The materials do not state how borrowing costs are ultimately allocated among taxpayers.
What is unclear#
- The final amount paid depends on exchange rates and the remaining invoice; the materials do not say how much of the reserve, if any, will be used.
- The materials do not explain how any unused reserve would be handled.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the increase is that it covers the higher Canadian-dollar cost of a contract already set in US dollars, rather than changing the contract’s US-dollar amount.
- City staff say the reserve is meant to cover further exchange-rate changes and support continuity of the SPVM’s dispatch service.
Case against#
- One concern is that the authorization includes a reserve for future exchange-rate changes, so the final cost may be lower than the full amount approved.
- The decision adds to a contract originally awarded directly to Peraton, which city staff say holds the exclusive rights. The materials do not compare other options for covering the interim system’s needs.