Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously approved an increase to the professional-services contract for the Sanaaq centre at 1200 rue du Sussex, in Ville-Marie. It authorized an additional $442,493.55, taxes included, and approved an amendment with Architecture 49 inc., Pelletier de Fontenay inc. and Cima+ s.e.n.c. The stated goal is to pay for revised engineering fees and extra work during the construction period.
- The contract maximum, including contingencies, rises from $2,574,566.38 to $3,017,059.93, taxes included.
- Of the additional amount, $270,596.57 increases the base contract; $171,896.98 is added to its contingency budget.
- When they sign the amendment and receive the amount due, the firms give the city a final release for claims about fees and services provided up to that point.
What it means for you#
- City taxpayers: The city and Ville-Marie borough will fund the increase. The decision does not change public access to Sanaaq, which is already open.
- The firms: They receive the additional payment under the amended contract. City staff say $174,843.47 is payable for extra construction supervision after the work period was extended. The difference between that and the new contingency amount is $2,946.49, the remaining balance of the existing contingency budget.
Money#
The approved additional spending is $442,493.55, taxes included, or $404,055.59 net of tax rebates.
- City Culture funds $390,093.47 through two local borrowing bylaws; Ville-Marie borough funds $52,400.08 through a local borrowing bylaw.
- The city’s share is 88.16%; the borough’s is 11.84%. Staff say the required budget is planned and available in their 2026–2035 capital programs.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give a separate estimate of any effect on future borrowing costs or taxes.
- The amended contract provides a final release for claims about fees and services to date, but the materials do not explain how any later claims would be handled.
Case for#
- City staff say the engineering share of the project became clearer when plans were finalized, and the contract’s fee formula requires an adjustment.
- Staff also say the longer construction period and other project complications required extra professional work. The increase allows the city to pay for that work.
Case against#
- The maximum contract amount rises by $442,493.55, and the contingency budget increases even though the original contingency was almost fully used.
- The firms’ final release may limit later claims about fees and services already provided; the materials do not set out its practical effect.