Winnipeg social procurement seeks assistance of outside expert
The development of a social procurement plan for the City of Winnipeg needs the assistance of an outside expert in the field, who can help both the Administration and a working group in that work.
That was the recommendation of the public service, adopted unanimously by City Council’s Executive Policy Committee January 18 from the public service, following discussions with the working group, which is composed of construction industry and community group representatives.
“This is a meaningful, productive move towards building a social procurement action plan, which will lay out the practical steps to make the policy work,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said. Lorenc appeared at EPC with other members of the working group, which spoke in support of the Administration report to the committee.
The working group coalition, led by the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, included Winnipeg Construction Association, CCEDNet, BUILD Inc., Manitoba Building Trades and Mother Earth Recycling.
The social procurement policy intends to use the City’s buying of goods, services and its construction program to increase employment among target groups, such as Indigenous, women, newcomers, persons of colour and LGBTQ2S individuals. Further, tendering for services will aim to attract bids from businesses owned by the same target-group individuals.
“I think what EPC saw in our coalition was a commitment to work together to ensure the social procurement processes and procedures will make for a successful policy,” Lorenc said. “It’s important that those employed gain marketable skills and find lasting jobs, that tenders are open, transparent and fair, and the City of Winnipeg gets value for dollar.”
The recommendation adopted, should it pass Council on January 27, will see the City hire an external consultant with expertise in the development of social procurement policies. That consultant will then assist the work of the Administration and the working group in developing the action plan, and make recommendations back to City Council regarding further resources needed to ensure the plan and the framework can be fully rolled out.
