Montreal Extends Safety Data Sheets Contract

Summary#

Montréal city council approved exercising both 12-month extensions of its existing agreement with Toxyscan Technologie inc. for managing workplace safety data sheets for hazardous products. The extensions run from January 2, 2026, to January 1, 2028, and do not increase the agreement’s estimated maximum of $131,283.86, taxes included.

  • The city’s boroughs and business units can use the service under the extended agreement, as their needs arise.
  • The 2023 agreement was awarded after a public call for tenders that received one bid.
  • The estimated cost of the two-year extension is $29,310.67, taxes included, within the existing agreement amount.

What it means for you#

  • City boroughs and business units: They may order the service through the extended agreement. The resolution assigns the costs to their budgets as needs arise; each purchase order still needs credit approval.
  • Residents: The decision does not directly change residents’ rights, services, taxes, or obligations. The service supports city units’ compliance with workplace safety requirements for labels and safety data sheets.

Money#

The two-year extension is estimated at $29,310.67, taxes included; the agreement’s total estimated amount remains $131,283.86, taxes included.

  • City staff estimate the extension at $25,493.65 before taxes, plus $1,274.65 in GST and $2,542.93 in QST.
  • The city is not required to buy a minimum quantity or the full estimated amount. Spending will depend on orders and available credit.
  • The contract has an indexation clause tied to the Montréal consumer price index. The materials do not give the actual future spending.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not say how much of the remaining agreement amount the city expects to use by January 1, 2028.
  • They do not give the number of orders or the amount each borough or business unit is expected to spend.

Case for#

  • City staff say the service has been satisfactory and the prices competitive.
  • Continuing the agreement avoids repeated tendering and, staff say, can reduce purchasing delays and preserve volume-based savings.

Case against#

  • The original public tender received only one bid, so the materials do not show how the price compared with competing offers.
  • The extension’s estimated cost is not a guaranteed final cost: actual spending depends on orders, and contract prices may be indexed.