Winnipeg to intro code of conduct, environmental requirements in tenders
The City of Winnipeg’s social procurement office is developing a supplier code of conduct and environmental tools to be included in construction contracts, as part of the City’s social procurement action plan.
The supplier code of conduct will include minimum requirements and standards that contractors and tier 1 subcontractors are expected to meet regarding human rights and labour standards, environmental standards and business ethics standards. It will also outline expectations around supplier compliance and accountability.
It will cover anti-forced and child labour clauses and ensure suppliers comply with labour and ethical standards and regulations set nationally, such as the Modern Slavery Act and the International Labour Organization’s standards. The Supplier Code of Conduct also embeds some environmental standards.
The environmental requirements will be focused on energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing economy circularity and reducing consumption/increasing waste diversion.
These steps are in addition to the social procurement clauses being piloted in tenders this season, which focus on increasing employment among equity groups.
MHCA and WCA will be working to gather information from contractors who are delivering projects that have social procurement clauses in contracts, prior to the end of the year when the City will review experience and data from the pilots. The intent is to include clauses broadly in tenders next year.
The social procurement office also has finalized single source and set aside guides for City staff to use to set aside contracts for social enterprises or Indigenous businesses.
Both guides provide internal staff with step-by-step guidance on how and when to use an Indigenous set-aside or social enterprise single source.
