Summary#
Montréal city council approved a direct contract with the Société des Amis du Biodôme de Montréal (SABM) to sell the Passeport Espace pour la vie in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The contract is estimated to cost $1,600,000, taxes included, and has two optional one-year renewals. City staff say the arrangement is meant to support the SABM while bringing passport sales revenue to the city.
- The SABM must send the city all money collected from passport sales and detailed sales statements three times a year.
- The city will pay the SABM fees for each passport sold. Extra fees may be due under the contract’s income guarantee and if sales exceed projections.
- The city approved the contract without a call for tenders.
What it means for you#
- Passport buyers: In 2026, a solo passport costs $87, a multi-passport costs $155, and each additional child costs $32.50. A passport gives one year of unlimited entry to the five Espace pour la vie museums, plus listed discounts and possible invitations to special events.
- SABM and its members: The SABM will sell passports and receive fees. Buyers who purchase through it become members for free. The contract’s income guarantee is intended to protect the SABM’s combined income from passport fees and annual card sales.
- Taxpayers: The city centre pays the contract costs. The decision does not change taxes or require residents to buy a passport.
Money#
The contract cost is estimated at $1,600,000, taxes included; the actual amount may vary.
- The city estimates passport-sale receipts of $2.4 million over three years and fees to the SABM of $1.6 million. The materials do not say whether the receipts estimate includes taxes.
- The city’s estimated fees are $523,000 in 2026, $533,000 in 2027 and $544,000 in 2028. Extra fees may be payable if sales exceed projections or the contract’s income guarantee applies.
- City staff say the contract’s fees for 2023–2025 were $2.5 million, while the city received about $3.5 million in passport-sale revenue.
What is unclear#
- The contract allows two one-year renewals, but the supplied material does not explain how or when the city may exercise them.
- The income-guarantee threshold is given for 2026, but the amounts for 2027 and 2028 are not provided.
- Future passport prices and fees depend in part on later tariff updates, so the final amounts for 2027 and 2028 are not known.
Case for#
- City staff say passport sales could compete with the SABM’s annual membership cards and reduce income it uses to support the Biodôme. Paying the SABM to sell passports, while giving buyers free membership, is intended to address that conflict.
- Staff report that the previous arrangement brought in more passport revenue for the city than it paid in fees, while helping the museum friends’ groups maintain or increase membership and income.
Case against#
- The city is committing to estimated fees of $1.6 million, with possible extra payments. The final cost depends on sales, tariff changes and the income guarantee.
- The contract was awarded directly, not through a call for tenders. Staff say they analyzed alternatives, but the supplied material does not describe those alternatives or how they compared.