Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously approved the second 12-month extension of the contract with Boisvert Gestion Parasitaire inc. for pest management at Espace pour la vie museums. The decision authorizes an additional $141,618.36, taxes included, bringing the contract total to $566,473.40, taxes included. City staff say the goal is to protect the museums’ living collections and maintain safe, clean facilities.
- The extension runs from January 1 to December 31, 2027, using the same rates as before.
- The added amount includes $128,743.96 for the contract and $12,874.40 for contingencies.
- The service covers rodents, harmful insects and other unwanted animals, with methods that protect the museums’ animal, insect and plant collections.
- The original 24-month contract was awarded after a public call for tenders with three bidders. This decision exercises the second 12-month option; it is not a new tender.
What it means for you#
- Espace pour la vie museums: The Jardin botanique, Biodôme and Insectarium will continue receiving pest-management services through the end of 2027.
- Visitors and staff: The decision continues a service intended to help keep museum spaces sanitary. It does not create a new public service or change visitor rules.
- Taxpayers: The city centre pays the full added cost.
Money#
The decision authorizes $141,618.36, taxes included, from Espace pour la vie’s budget.
- The contract cost is $128,743.96; the contingency budget is $12,874.40.
- The amounts are split among the Jardin botanique ($65,478.93), Biodôme ($48,838.44) and Insectarium ($27,300.99), all taxes included.
What is unclear#
- No publicly available information on the frequency of visits, specific treatment methods or how the city will assess the contractor’s performance.
- No publicly available information on how much of the contingency budget will be used.
- The materials do not say whether the original contract was awarded to the lowest compliant bid.
Case for#
- City staff say pests could harm the museums’ living collections and create health and cleanliness concerns for staff and visitors.
- Staff also say the Biodôme’s international accreditations could be at risk without the contract.
- The extension keeps the same rates and continues a contract option included in the original tender.
Case against#
- A possible trade-off is continuing with the same contractor rather than testing current prices through a new tender. The materials do not compare the extension’s cost with alternatives.
- The decision sets aside a contingency budget, but the materials do not explain what specific extra work might require it.