Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted its orientation on December 15, 2025, to enter a framework agreement with the Centre d’acquisitions gouvernementales (CAG, Government Acquisitions Centre) for light vehicles from November 15, 2025, to October 31, 2026. This is the city’s position, not the final approval: the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say pooled purchasing is intended to support vehicle supply and provide access to a range of vehicles.
- The proposed agreement would let the city order vehicles as needed through CAG contracts, up to $17,964,843.72, taxes included.
- The resolution also authorizes $1,796,484.37 for contingencies and $1,796,484.37 for other possible costs, bringing the total estimate to $21,557,812.46, taxes and these budgets included.
- Participating manufacturers are FCA Canada inc., Ford Canada inc., Kia Québec, La compagnie General Motors du Canada, Les ventes Mistubishi du Canada inc., Mazda Chatel and Toyota Canada inc. The city would not have to buy the full estimated quantity.
What it means for you#
- City services and taxpayers: Most vehicles are intended for replacement and additional needs at the Montréal fire service (SIM) and police service (SPVM). The decision does not directly change residents’ services or create a new fee.
- Who pays: Agglomeration budgets cover SIM and SPVM vehicles; the city centre covers borough vehicles; other city units use their own budgets. Some costs are to be financed through existing borrowing bylaws.
- Vehicle procurement: The CAG ran a public call for tenders. The materials do not say how many bids it received or whether selected bids were the lowest compliant bids. The city’s orders would be made as needs arise, not all at once.
Money#
The maximum vehicle amount is $17,964,843.72, taxes included; the authorized contingency and other-cost budgets bring the total estimate to $21,557,812.46.
- The framework agreement itself has no budget allocation: purchases would be charged as orders are placed.
- Vehicle prices include transport to the dealer and preparation, among other items. Delivery from the dealer to the city is excluded; the other-cost budget may cover it and accessories.
What is unclear#
- Actual purchases and final spending are unknown; the city says it is not committed to buying the full forecast quantity.
- No publicly available information in the supplied materials gives the number of bids or whether the selected bids were the lowest compliant bids.
- The materials do not provide a separate cost estimate for each type of vehicle or say how much of the contingency and other-cost budgets will be used.
Case for#
- City staff say pooled orders can provide access to volume discounts and help stabilize supply.
- The agreement allows a range of vehicles, including hybrid and fully electric models, and gives the city flexibility to order as needs change.
Case against#
- The total estimate is substantial, while actual vehicle needs and final spending may differ from the forecast.
- The materials do not provide bid counts or price comparisons, so readers cannot assess the evidence for staff’s claim that CAG prices are competitive.