City to swap fire station boilers to electric

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted an orientation supporting a contract for decarbonization work at Fire Station 66, 4398 boulevard LaSalle, in Verdun. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. The stated goal is to reduce emissions from municipal buildings.

  • The proposed contract is with Tuyauterie Expert inc. for $1,055,470.50, taxes included. It was the lowest of seven compliant bids.
  • The work includes replacing gas boilers with electric dual-energy boilers and gas water heaters with electric ones, plus electrical, control, regulation and architectural work.
  • The proposed total spending is $1,266,564.61, taxes included: the contract, a contingency budget for unexpected costs, and an incidentals budget.
  • The resolution requires an evaluation of the contractor’s performance.

What it means for you#

  • Residents and fire-station users: The decision concerns work at one fire station. It does not directly change residents’ services or create a new public program. City staff say the work is expected to reduce emissions and improve comfort.
  • Taxpayers: City staff say the agglomeration would cover the full expense through borrowing bylaw RCG 24-018. The project may receive a subsidy covering 67% of eligible expenses, if those expenses are committed before March 31, 2026.
  • City operations: The contract is scheduled to start in March 2026, with provisional completion in March 2027 and contract end in March 2028.

Money#

Proposed total spending is $1,266,564.61, taxes included; the decision summary gives a total that is one cent lower.

  • The contract is $1,055,470.50; contingencies are $158,320.58; incidentals are $52,773.53.
  • Seven firms submitted compliant bids. Tuyauterie Expert inc.’s bid was 33.3% below the latest professional estimate.
  • City staff estimate that, from 2027, the building’s operating budget for energy and technical maintenance will need to increase by 76%. No dollar amount is given.
  • The 67% subsidy depends on expenses being committed before March 31, 2026. City staff say later expenses would be charged to the city’s capital plan instead.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not give the dollar value of the expected subsidy or the future operating-budget increase.
  • The decision summary refers to an allocation between the city’s property-management service and Verdun, but the allocation details are not included here.
  • The work description includes dual-energy boilers, but the materials do not explain when they would use electricity versus another energy source.

Case for#

  • Seven compliant bids provide evidence of competition. The winning bid was the lowest and was close to the second-lowest bid.
  • City staff say the work is part of a plan to reduce emissions from municipal buildings and is expected to reduce emissions by about 141 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent.
  • The contingency budget sets aside money for unexpected construction costs.

Case against#

  • The 76% estimated increase in energy and technical-maintenance costs could add ongoing pressure to the operating budget; the materials give no dollar estimate.
  • The winning bid was substantially below the professional estimate. City staff say competitive pricing may explain the gap, but the materials do not establish whether the estimate or bid will better reflect final costs.
  • The subsidy deadline may leave the city responsible for expenses committed after March 31, 2026.