Summary#
Montréal city council adopted an orientation to exercise the second 12-month extension of the contract with SNF Canada inc. and authorize an additional $2,966,475.89, taxes included. This is for supplying anionic and cationic polymers to the Jean-R.-Marcotte wastewater treatment plant, from June 20, 2026, to June 19, 2027; the stated goal is to keep the plant supplied for wastewater treatment.
- The extension would bring the contract total to $8,880,010.31, taxes included.
- The original contract followed a 2024 public call for tenders with four bidders; city staff say SNF Canada was the lowest compliant bidder.
- The polymers help remove suspended matter and phosphorus from wastewater and dewater sludge.
What it means for you#
- City residents: The chemicals support wastewater treatment for the island of Montréal. This decision does not set new household fees or change residents’ eligibility for a service.
- SNF Canada inc.: The extension would continue the company’s supply contract for 12 months. The company agreed to the extension.
- Agglomeration: It would bear the full cost because wastewater treatment is an agglomeration responsibility.
- This is an orientation under section 80: Montréal city council set its position, and the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
Money#
The proposed additional expenditure is $2,966,475.89, taxes included, or $2,708,787.88 net of tax rebates.
- The amount is allocated between 2026 ($1,580,151.34) and 2027 ($1,386,324.55), taxes included.
- City staff say the contract’s prices will not be indexed during the extension because the specified industrial price index is below 2%.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give the quantities of each polymer expected to be purchased during the extension.
- They do not compare the extension’s prices with prices available through a new call for tenders.
Case for#
- City staff say the extension is needed to maintain supply and meet wastewater-treatment requirements.
- Staff report that the products have been of good quality, prices are maintained, and SNF Canada was the lowest compliant bidder in 2024.
Case against#
- This decision would extend the existing contract rather than seek new bids; the materials do not compare the extension with retendering.
- Without expected quantities or a price comparison, readers cannot assess how the added spending compares with other options.