City in tug-of-war over towing

On April 16, Gatineau Superior Court cancelled the City of Gatineau’s contract with Henrie Towing. A local service, Aylmer Collision and Towing, had accused the city of picking Henrie’s bid despite missing several requirements, and brought the case before the Court.

Aylmer Towing also asked that the Court cancel the City’s contract with Henrie Towing and award the contract to them, but Judge Carole Thérrien ruled that both Aylmer and Henrie Towing did not meet the requirements in the original tender call.

The part of the contract in dispute includes having parking spaces where the bidder would be required to store city vehicles, including those of the SPVG.

Aylmer Towing’s bid was rejected because it lacked an outdoor area enclosed by a fence and a hermetically controlled building with a separate ventilation system with a door that would allow vehicles to enter.

Henrie Towing, however, also did not have such a building nor did it have an outdoor area entirely enclosed by a fence, yet it was accepted.

The contract has been in effect for two years, and the city argued that canceling the contract would lead to disruptions in towing and vehicle storage for the city.

Judge Thérrien ruled that Gatineau over-stepped its authority in accepting a bid that fell short of the tender. The Court therefore ordered the contract be cancelled and that the city of Gatineau pay the cost of the proceedings.

All interested parties have appealed Judge Thérrien’s decision and her ruling is suspended until the Appeals Court delivers its own decision.

The City’s policy is to not comment on any issue before the courts.