Summary#
Montréal city council awarded Beluga Services Municipaux inc. a five-year contract to operate the Ray-Lawson snow-disposal site in the borough of Anjou. The contract is for $9,719,411.63, with authorized contingency and quantity-variation budgets bringing the total to a maximum of $13,121,205.70, taxes included.
- The contract was awarded through public call for tenders 26-21295. Two companies submitted bids; Beluga was the lowest compliant bidder.
- The city must evaluate Beluga’s performance at the end of the contract.
- The contract is scheduled to run from November 15, 2026, to November 14, 2031. No renewal option is stated.
What it means for you#
- Residents: The city has hired a company to operate the Ray-Lawson snow-disposal site. City staff say snow disposal supports snow-clearing operations and safe travel. This decision does not create a new resident fee or change residents’ rights.
- City administration: The city’s Service de la concertation des arrondissements et de l’expérience citoyenne is responsible for tenders and contracts related to snow disposal.
Money#
The authorized maximum is $13,121,205.70, taxes included, paid from the city-centre operating budget.
- That total includes $9,719,411.63 for the contract, $1,943,882.33 for contingencies, and $1,457,911.74 for changes in quantities.
- City staff say the extra budgets account for uncertainty in winter conditions. If more funding is needed, a separate decision would be required to use the snow reserve.
What is unclear#
- The decision does not set out how often the site will operate or what service levels Beluga must meet.
- It does not say how any additional funding would be calculated or how much might be needed in severe winters.
Case for#
- Beluga submitted the lowest compliant bid. Its total was $2,134,611.48, or 16.27%, below the other bid.
- City staff say the site’s continued operation supports snow-clearing work and service to residents.
Case against#
- The contract’s maximum total is 7.29% above the city’s latest estimate.
- Only two bids were received, from five companies that obtained the tender documents. The materials do not explain why the other three did not bid.
- The city may need to seek additional funding if winter conditions require it.