Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position to award two direct service contracts to Centre de la montagne for services at parc du Mont-Royal, from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2029. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. City staff say the contracts separate visitor services from the organization’s mission funding and aim to maintain services at the park.
- One contract covers visitor welcome and information services; the other covers outdoor equipment rentals and a winter free-loan program for young people aged 17 and under in the Montréal agglomeration.
- The two contracts total $457,650, taxes included. The City will also make several premises available to the organization at no charge.
- Centre de la montagne will keep the revenue from rental activities. City staff estimate that revenue at about $717,000 a year.
What it means for you#
- Park visitors: The contracts cover visitor information and directions, activity registration, tourist information, lost property, referrals to park staff or 311, adapted equipment loans, and collection of information about park use and visitor needs.
- Young people aged 17 and under in the agglomeration: The equipment contract includes free winter equipment loans from December 15 to March 31 each winter season.
- Other equipment users: The contract covers seasonal rentals of cross-country skis, snowshoes and skates, summer canoe rentals, reservations, and support for safe and suitable use. The decision does not set rental prices.
- Taxpayers: The agglomeration would pay the contract expenses through the operating budget of the Service des grands parcs, du Mont-Royal et des sports.
Money#
The two contracts total a maximum of $457,650, taxes included; the listed total net of tax rebates is $417,895.44.
- Visitor welcome services: $330,000, taxes included, over three years.
- Equipment services: up to $127,650, taxes included, over three winter seasons. This covers program management and reimbursement for rental income forgone through the free youth program, up to $42,550 per season.
- City staff say equipment rentals otherwise cost the City nothing; Centre de la montagne keeps the revenue. The City also provides premises at no charge. No contingencies are included in the contracts.
What is unclear#
- The materials give no details on how the City will check service quality or whether it can adjust payments if services fall short.
- The financial schedule for welcome services breaks costs out through March 2029, while the stated contract term ends April 30, 2029. The materials do not explain how that final month is accounted for.
- The materials do not state rental prices or how the estimated rental revenue was calculated.
Case for#
- City staff say the contracts would keep established visitor services running and support safe, consistent services throughout the year.
- Separate service contracts respond to compliance concerns identified by the Auditor General and the City’s legal affairs service.
- The free winter equipment program would continue for young people aged 17 and under in the agglomeration, with the City covering eligible costs up to a stated limit.
Case against#
- The contracts are awarded directly, not through a call for tenders. The materials give reasons for choosing Centre de la montagne, including its experience, but do not compare its prices with other providers.
- The City would pay for the contracts and provide premises at no charge, while the organization keeps rental revenue estimated at about $717,000 a year. The materials do not explain how the value of that arrangement was assessed.
- The contracts do not include contingency funds, and the materials do not describe service checks or remedies if delivery is inadequate.