Montreal approves winter road salt contracts

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a position to conclude two seven-month framework agreements with Selto Distribution inc. for road de-icing salt, under public call for tenders 26-21466. The stated goal is to supply participating public bodies for winter 2026–27; this is a goal, not a guaranteed result. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.

  • The agreements cover regular salt and treated salt, supplied and delivered when requested. The city council’s position sets a maximum of $23,513,302.24 for the agreements and authorizes $4,702,660.45 for changes in quantities.
  • The maximum estimated total, including that quantity allowance, is $28,215,962.69, taxes included.
  • Selto was the lowest compliant bidder for both groups. The public tender received three bids; only Selto submitted a compliant bid for treated salt.
  • The resolution requires an evaluation of Selto’s performance.

What it means for you#

  • Residents: The decision concerns salt for road de-icing. It does not create a new resident benefit, fee, or tax.
  • Participating public bodies: The agreements would be available to Montréal’s 19 boroughs, the Jardin botanique de Montréal, the Société de transport de Montréal, and 14 linked municipalities. They would place orders as needed.
  • Participating budgets: The resolution assigns the spending to the budgets of the boroughs, participating linked municipalities, the Botanical Garden, and the STM, as needs arise.
  • Buyers: Listed quantities are estimates, not purchase commitments. Actual orders depend on need and winter conditions; the agreement terms allow participants to use up to 20% more than the listed quantities.

Money#

The maximum estimated spending is $28,215,962.69, taxes included; actual spending depends on orders.

  • The agreements with Selto are capped at $23,513,302.24: $21,508,426.25 for regular salt and $2,004,875.99 for treated salt.
  • The separate quantity allowance is $4,702,660.45, taxes included. The resolution charges spending to participant budgets as needs arise.
  • City staff’s estimates, including quantity allowances, were lower than the lowest compliant bids by $2,512,284.13 for regular salt and $43,087.05 for treated salt. Staff attribute the gap mainly to transport costs, including fuel, and salt availability.

What is unclear#

  • Actual quantities and total spending are uncertain because orders depend on need and weather.
  • The materials do not give a separate estimate of how much each participant will spend.
  • The city council adopted an orientation, not the agglomeration council’s final decision; the supplied materials do not include that later decision.

Case for#

  • City staff say the agreements are intended to support steady, convenient salt supply and public safety.
  • Ordering on demand lets participants buy according to their needs rather than committing to all listed quantities.
  • Selto’s bids were the lowest compliant bids for both types of salt.

Case against#

  • The maximum estimated total is above the city’s estimates, which staff say reflects higher transport costs and salt availability.
  • Only three of five firms that obtained the tender documents bid. For treated salt, Selto was the only compliant bidder, so there was no compliant bid comparison for that group.
  • The quantity allowance permits spending above the agreements’ base amounts, while actual needs—and therefore final spending—remain uncertain.