Mayor’s cabinet approves sustainable procurement plan

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Any company seeking to work with the City of Winnipeg will have to prove how it will benefit the broader community, following a vote by the executive policy committee.

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On Wednesday, EPC unanimously approved a Sustainable Procurement Action Plan. This plan is aimed at ensuring the city enters agreements with suppliers that are aimed at fostering healthy and vibrant communities, according to a city report.

For instance, when the city buys coffee for its food services areas, it could add organic or locally roasted coffees to the mix of coffees offered or only carry beans that have a recognized sustainability certification. When evaluating bids from suppliers, the city would look at how effectively suppliers were able to deliver on sustainability opportunities.

This could also mean that when buying promotion items, prioritizing purchases from Indigenous businesses or from social enterprises that provide employment for people facing barriers.

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For construction projects, it could mean that bid documents include a question about whether a company uses an internal or external organization’s construction employment-training program that recruits workers from target groups.

“It maintains fair, open, and transparent bidding, while addressing both the sustainability factors for a specific good or service as well as the operational practices of suppliers along the supply chain,” a city report reads.

Mayor Brian Bowman says this is a “really progressive move” by the city.

“I don’t begrudge this, but we’re always constrained by some of the trade agreements and things like that,” he told reporters Wednesday. “And so I think our civic officials have demonstrated their ability to be innovative within the legal constraints that they have.”

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The plan is set to be phased in over the next three years.

More money for North End Sewage treatment plant

EPC voted in favour of approving a $6.5 million budget increase for the North End Sewage Treatment Plant.

The funds will allow for the project to meet revised provincial licensing requirements for phosphorous removal. Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) who serves as chair of the city’s water and waste committee said the money is well spent.

Peebles joins mayoral race

Winnipeg’s wide-open mayoral race has grown to 12 candidates as Jessica Peebles registered on Wednesday.

Peebles joins Chris Clacio, Rana Bokhari, Scott Gillingham, Shaun Loney, Robert-Falcon Oullette, Jenny Motkaluk, Desmond Thomas, Don Woodstock, Glen Murray, Idris Ademuyiwa Adelakun and Rick Shone as candidates for mayor in the Oct. 26 municipal election.