The MHCA, along with the WCA, met with City Councillor Janice Lukes to discuss challenges related to the City of Winnipeg’s Sustainable and Social Procurement Action Plan.
MHCA’s goal is to ensure social procurement requirements in tenders and contracts are workable, reflect industry market realities and help recruitment and retention of workers not just for a season, but long-term careers. However, there have been challenges with both the pilot project and implementation.
Concerns raised in the meeting included lack of consideration for industry comments and suggestions, the use of prescriptive, project-based tenders and lack of industry awareness and understanding.
The City of Winnipeg in 2025 is piloting a “skills and training” clause in heavy construction tenders, and has said a Code of Conduct will be a standard inclusion in tenders and contracts.
Lukes indicated she will continue to raise these challenges with the Mayor’s Office.
MHCA, with its industry working group and the WCA, have been actively engaged on this file since 2020.
