The city’s private snow removal bill will increase by 48%

Gatineau expects to have to increase its snow removal expenses this winter due to the unpredictability of recent winters and the increase in the market price of salt.

On October 16, the Executive Committee awarded four contracts valued at approximately $10.5 million to companies responsible for snow removal in rural areas until 2021, a 48% increase over the same contracts signed with the private sector in 2014, according to Executive Committee Chairman Cédric Tessier.

To the press, Mr Tessier admitted that the city “expected a significant increase in the price of bids”, but that the final increase was about 20% higher than the city’s expectations.

When asked by the media why the city would not abandon the use of salt in favour of other anti-slip products, Hull-Wright City Councillor explained that, “We still need to buy salt, even though it is not as effective when it is very cold. Winter’s varied weather means the city needs a variety of materials, including salt.”

Mr. Tessier did not specify to what extent these new prices could increase the snow removal budget, citing it was too early for him to comment on the impact of the changes before the budget was considered in November.