On April 2, 2026, Québec adopted the Act to Reduce Bureaucracy, Increase State Efficiency and Strengthen the Accountability of Senior Officials (Bill 7), introducing amendments to the Act Respecting Contracting by Public Bodies (LCOP). One of the most significant changes concerns authorizations to contract issued by the Autorité des marchés publics (AMP).
Key Change
Since April 2, 2026, authorizations to contract issued by the AMP are now valid for an indefinite period and no longer require renewal every 5 years. Companies with authorization expiring on or before August 29, 2026 may still need to complete one final renewal if they have received a renewal notice from the AMP.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
Companies must continue to:
- Complete annual updates with the AMP before the anniversary date of the authorization
- Confirm or amend declared business relationships, including directors, shareholders, establishments, and lenders
- Notify the AMP within 30 days of any changes to previously disclosed information.
Compliance Risks
Failure to comply with annual update or disclosure requirements may result in:
- Suspension of the authorization to contract and/or
- Administrative monetary penalties.
Practical Implications
The changes reduce the administrative burden of periodic renewal but increase the importance of ongoing compliance and timely disclosures, as the AMP’s integrity assessment process will now rely more heavily on ongoing reporting.
