Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted a position in favour of awarding a two-year contract to Nature Action Québec inc. for work on the projected Paysage humanisé de L’Île-Bizard (humanized landscape). The contract award still requires a decision by the agglomeration council at a later meeting. City staff say the work is intended to support conservation and public involvement in the area.
- The proposed contract is a direct award for $190,612, with taxes not applicable; it also approves the related service agreement.
- Nature Action Québec would organize information, consultation and participation activities, and help put the conservation plan into action.
- The work includes tracking conservation targets and indicators, conservation and public-awareness projects, and encouraging voluntary conservation by residents, farmers and landowners.
- The city’s Service de l’Espace pour la vie, grands parcs et Mont-Royal would supervise the work. City biologists would set objectives, methods and timelines for each assignment, with approval from the provincial environment ministry.
What it means for you#
- Residents, property owners, businesses and local groups: The contract includes consultation, communication and participation activities. It does not require anyone to take part or to conserve their land.
- Farmers and landowners: The contractor would run activities encouraging voluntary conservation initiatives. The decision does not create a new legal duty for them.
- Montréal taxpayers: The decision says the contract cost is fully covered by provincial grant funding. It does not set a new tax or fee.
Money#
The proposed contract costs $190,612, taxes not applicable, and is to be funded entirely by a provincial grant.
- The grant is $510,000 for activities from 2025–26 to 2027–28. The contract is allocated as $95,597 in 2026–27 and $95,015 in 2027–28.
- The city’s estimate was $209,265.40; the proposed price is 8.91% lower. The materials show one price submission, from Nature Action Québec, rather than a competitive call for tenders.
- City staff say a refusal could delay the conservation plan and require the city to repay grant money.
What is unclear#
- The decision summary lists a June 2026 start and March 2028 end, while the resolution describes the contract as lasting two years.
- The materials do not say how many people would take part, how many activities would be held, or what measurable results the contract must achieve.
- The decision does not describe how participation feedback would affect conservation decisions.
Case for#
- The work supports a conservation plan and provincial funding commitments already in place.
- A single contract combines consultation, communication, conservation work and tracking of conservation indicators.
- The proposed price is below the city’s estimate, and the grant is described as covering the full contract cost.
Case against#
- The direct award involved one price submission, so the materials do not show how the price compares with competing bids.
- The work covers a broad range of activities, but the decision does not specify public targets or detailed measures of success.
- The contract uses the full $190,612 stated for it; the materials do not explain whether unused grant funding could cover other activities.