Montreal prides itself on prioritizing environmental benefits in its tenders, but the city just awarded a major delivery contract to a gasoline rather than electric hauler.
“It's 2024 and nothing changes, the public procedures have been the same for decades.” It's disarming,” a vice president poured out his heart. of Nationex, Clément Sabourin, in a publication on LinkedIn last Tuesday.
Nationex – 22 warehouses and almost 500 trucks – has invested heavily in electricity since Catryn Pinard's leadership. The 47-year-old has already purchased around fifty 100% electric trucks in just six months.
The social media appearance of its director of sustainable development comes as the city has just awarded a new supply contract for Brita jugs. All Montrealers struggling with the problem of lead in the water due to old old pipes can get one for free since 2020.
Isabelle Perrin and Sébastien Joly are two Montrealers who have already received their Brita pitcher. Photo Chantal Poirier
The name of the airline, which Montreal has retained in recent days, is being kept secret. However, our sources confirm two things: the company's fleet does not include electric vehicles and delivery costs less than $4.
In doing so, the mystery company is lowering prices on the market, which, according to industry observers, are closer to $6 to $7 per pack. This worries the many local transport SMEs contacted by Le Journal, who also quickly had to empty their hearts.
“We make a proposal, then more news. Finally, I will start again: the contract was awarded to a non-electrical supplier,” writes Clément Sabourin.
An official reportedly responded that the city was looking for the “lowest bidder with no electricity needs at all.” If environmental clauses are introduced, the market will be restricted, he added.
Old
Favoring the lowest bidder regardless of everything else, Daniel Breton fumes, “works the old-fashioned way.”
“I'm surprised to learn this because the city is making it clear in its new policy: it is NOT the lowest bidder who has to win,” emphasizes the director of Electric Mobility Canada.
Quebec's former environment minister rejoiced on Jan. 25 when Mayor Valérie Plante set new criteria – economic, social and environmental – for purchasing goods and services in the city.
“What they are doing is in complete contradiction to what they have said,” summarizes the environmentalist.
Valérie Plante is not shy
These new award criteria aim to “highlight environmental benefits in tenders,” explains Valérie Plante’s office, which cannot explain its official’s decision.
“Every gesture counts to accelerate ecological change,” the mayor told the Journal through an attaché.
The tender lost by Nationex also prompted her office to “conduct audits to shed light on this situation.”
The Journal requested an interview Wednesday with Sidney Ribaux, a senior official who leads the city's Office of Ecological Transition and Resilience (BRET).
Our application was rejected. The Journal also received no response from the city's public administration.
Big delay
Daniel Breton regrets that Montreal is not only behind in its approach. Only 36,000 electric vehicles were registered in the metropolis in 2023, those owned by Mr. and Mrs. Everyman.
In Oslo there were 87,000. The Norwegian capital is hardly more populous than Quebec City.
“Proportionately, it’s embarrassing. “The city really needs to set a good example,” emphasizes the electric vehicle enthusiast.
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