Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position on framework agreements with M2D Leadership for professional assessments of the management potential and skills of City of Montréal management candidates. The agreements would last three years from October 1, 2026, with two one-year renewal options, and have a maximum value of $820,404.11, taxes included. The goal, as city staff describe it, is to support the City’s selection and development of managers. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed agreements cover assessments for administrative, senior and executive management roles. M2D would assess candidates identified by the City and provide reports, professional advice and feedback.
- The assessment process must use multiple methods, including an interview, a management exercise, personality inventories and a cognitive-ability test. Tools must be available in French and English and be free of discrimination.
- The assessments must be done by organizational psychologists or guidance counsellors who belong to their respective Québec professional orders.
- The City must evaluate M2D’s performance. The costs are to be charged to borough and corporate-service budgets as needs arise.
What it means for you#
- City management candidates: If the agreements proceed, candidates identified by the City for covered management roles may be assessed by M2D. The decision does not require every candidate to be assessed.
- Boroughs and City services: They would have access to the corporate framework agreement as needed and would pay for services from their budgets. City staff say it is intended to extend access to assessments for internal candidates.
- Residents: The decision does not directly change public services, eligibility for benefits, or residents’ rights.
Money#
The agreements have a maximum estimated value of $820,404.11, taxes included.
- The amount is to be spent from borough and corporate-service budgets as needs arise.
- The contract was awarded through a public call for tenders. M2D was the only bidder; its bid passed the pre-set selection criteria.
- The bid was $714,512.14 (46.5%) below the City’s estimate of $1,534,916.25. City staff say their estimate used higher prices from earlier contracts and included an inflation adjustment.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not say how many candidates will be assessed or how much of the maximum amount the City expects to spend.
- They do not explain how assessment results will be used in hiring decisions, or whether candidates can challenge or correct an assessment.
- The materials do not set out how long assessment information will be kept or who may access it.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the agreements is that specialist assessments could give the City more consistent information about candidates’ management skills and development potential.
- The bid was substantially below the City’s estimate, although there was only one bidder.
- The required mix of assessment methods and professional qualifications sets out minimum standards for the service.
Case against#
- One bidder means the City had no competing bid to compare with M2D’s price or approach.
- The assessments include advice about candidates’ chances of success in a job, but the materials do not explain how decision-makers should weigh that advice.
- The maximum cost is set, but the number of assessments and the amount actually spent are not specified.