Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a position asking the agglomeration council to award Sports Montréal inc. a direct-award contract to manage the Jeux de Montréal for the 2027–2029 editions, and to approve the service agreement. City staff say the goal is to keep the annual event running; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed contract is for $1,347,010.35, taxes included ($1,230,000 net of tax rebates), for the 2027, 2028 and 2029 editions. It ends June 30, 2029.
- The amount is divided equally by year: $449,003.45, taxes included, for each edition.
- Sports Montréal would receive payment in two instalments for each edition, after invoices are received and the project manager approves the required work and documents.
- Under the proposed agreement, Sports Montréal must return goods acquired for the contract to the City, partner organizations and the promoter of later Jeux de Montréal editions.
What it means for you#
- Children and families: City staff report that about 5,000 young people take part each year. If the agglomeration council approves the contract, Sports Montréal would manage the event for three more editions. The event includes sports competitions, cultural programming and other activities.
- Sports Montréal: The organization would receive the contract and be responsible for managing the event under the agreement. The supplied materials do not include the full agreement.
- Taxpayers: The agglomeration would pay 100% of the expense. The City says the spending is available in the budget of its Service de la culture, des sports et des loisirs.
- Contract process: The council’s position is to award the contract by direct award, not through a call for tenders. City staff say two negotiation meetings reduced Sports Montréal’s estimate by 2.69%.
Money#
The proposed contract costs $1,347,010.35, taxes included, or $1,230,000 net of tax rebates.
- The agglomeration would pay the full amount. The materials say the budget is available, but do not give the funding source beyond the service’s existing budget.
- City staff say the contract is 34% higher than the previous contract, citing more sports disciplines—about 30 rather than 15—and rising event costs.
- Sports Montréal’s estimate was $1,384,299, taxes included; staff say negotiations reduced it by 2.69%.
What is unclear#
- The agglomeration council’s final decision is not included in the materials.
- The full service agreement is not provided, so the detailed work requirements and how performance will be checked are unclear.
- The materials do not state whether participants pay fees or whether the contract changes registration or eligibility rules.
- The resolution gives no renewal options.
Case for#
- City staff say the contract is needed to plan and run the three editions, and that the City lacks the staff and financial resources to do the work internally.
- A direct award to an organization that has managed the Jeux since 2018 could maintain continuity. Staff say the event serves young people and includes parasports.
- The negotiated price is lower than Sports Montréal’s estimate.
Case against#
- The contract is 34% more expensive than the previous one, and the materials do not provide a year-by-year explanation of that increase beyond more disciplines and inflation.
- The contract is proposed as a direct award, so the materials provide no competing bids or comparison with other providers.
- The event’s continuation depends on the agglomeration council’s later decision; city council’s adopted position alone does not make the contract final.