Summary#
Montréal’s city council unanimously adopted its position in favour of extending Groupe de sécurité Garda’s contract for security and related services at the five Espace pour la vie museums. It would use the contract’s first 12-month renewal option, from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027, and add $2,591,352.54, taxes included, bringing the contract total to $10,340,082.51, taxes included. The stated goal is to keep the service going. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed extension covers the Biodôme, Biosphère, Insectarium, Jardin botanique and Planétarium.
- Of the added amount, $2,274,428.82 is for the contract and $316,923.72 is a contingency budget (money set aside for additional costs).
- The extension uses the contract’s first of two one-year renewal options, on the same terms and conditions.
- The original public call for tenders received two bids; one met the requirements and passed the pre-set scoring threshold. Garda received the contract.
What it means for you#
- Visitors and the public: The decision is intended to continue security services at the five museums. It does not change admission prices or create a new visitor service.
- Garda: If the agglomeration council approves the orientation, the company would continue providing the contracted services for 12 months.
- Taxpayers: The added spending would be funded through the City’s property-management service operating budget. The Biosphère portion is shared-agglomeration spending.
Money#
The proposed added amount is $2,591,352.54, taxes included; no separate overall cost estimate is given.
- The contract portion is $2,274,428.82; the contingency is $316,923.72.
- The decision summary says the museums’ expenses qualify for full GST and QST recovery, so the actual expense and budget amounts are before taxes.
- The City’s summary says the cost is divided between 2026 and 2027, but the agglomeration share depends on the annual allocation for mixed expenses.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not state how much of the total cost is for the Biosphère, or the final allocation between the City and the agglomeration.
- They do not explain how any unused contingency would be treated.
- The contract includes a second one-year renewal option, but this decision does not exercise it.
Case for#
- City staff say Garda provided adequate service and knows the sites and their specific needs.
- Using an existing renewal option could avoid a break in security coverage while continuing under the contract’s existing terms.
- The original tender had two bids, but only Garda’s bid met the requirements and passed the scoring threshold.
Case against#
- The decision adds more than $2.5 million in spending, including over $316,000 set aside for contingencies.
- The original tender had only one compliant bid, and the extension does not involve a new call for tenders.
- The materials do not detail the services’ performance measures or explain how the City would assess whether the extension remains good value.