Winnipeg mayoral and council candidates respond to We Want to Work coalition survey

On September 29th, the We Want to Work coalition sent two questions to all candidates for mayor and council in the City of Winnipeg ahead of October 26th’s municipal election:

• If elected, will you champion the implementation of Winnipeg’s Sustainable Procurement Action Plan as passed by Council in July 2022, including a dedicated staff person and third party expert engagement? (If yes, how? If somewhat or no, why?)

• If elected, what other actions will you take to increase social purchasing practices in the City of Winnipeg with positive social, economic, and environmental benefits for our local community? 

Check out the responses from candidates below!

Background

On Thursday, July 21st, 2022, the Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (SPAP) was unanimously approved by Winnipeg’s City Council. This means the City of Winnipeg will now integrate four pillars of Sustainable Procurement: social, Indigenous, environmental, and ethical, producing value for the community while achieving its purchasing needs.

This policy progress came after many months of deliberation, conversation, and discussion, as well as advocacy from the We Want to Work coalition.

We Want to Work is a coalition of CCEDNet members – community organizations and social enterprises in Manitoba committed to healthy communities in Winnipeg, addressing poverty, supporting good jobs, and taking climate action. CCEDNet Manitoba helps convene this coalition.

We Want to Work believes that one of the best ways to achieve these goals is for governments to consider community benefits in their purchasing. The City of Winnipeg spends a significant amount per year on goods and services that can have an impact on the local community beyond the purchase itself. 

With this important policy change taken in July, it is exciting to watch as the City of Winnipeg becomes a stronger partner in a vision where sustainable, equitable, and inclusive communities are directing their own futures! 

Winnipeg’s SPAP is available here and includes more background information.

We Want to Work has noted that they appreciate the phased-in and iterative nature of the SPAP, which they believe will allow for innovation, partnership development, and refinement of policy over the next three years. In particular, We Want to Work supports the inclusion of a dedicated staff person to serve as a Sustainable Procurement liaison, the support of third party expertise with experience from other jurisdictions, and the integrated thinking across all four pillars of Sustainable Procurement.

Responses from Candidates

Candidates for Mayor

1. If elected, will you champion the implementation of Winnipeg’s Sustainable Procurement Action Plan as passed by Council in July 2022, including a dedicated staff person and third party expert engagement? (Possible Answers – yes, no, somewhat. Follow up: If yes, how? If somewhat or no, why?)

• Scott Gillingham: Yes.
  • “By ensuring the goals and principles of the SPAP are kept in place. I was instrumental in steering it through council and I was a strong advocate for its adoption. I was part of council that passed the plan and as mayor I would ensure that it be implemented.”
    
• Shaun Loney: Yes.
  • “Value the impact that interventions have on each system.”
    
• Chris Clacio: Yes/Somewhat.
  • “When elected, I do vow to be a champion of the implementation of Winnipeg’s Sustainable Procurement Action Plan as passed by council in July 2022, only when I do my own due diligence and meet with public adminstration and other councillors will I when elected fully vow to include a dedicated staff person and third party expert engagement. As a Civic Practitioner and a Policy Entrepreneur I am a big believer that research, Science/Tech/Engineering/Arts/Math Jobs, qualitative (expert/storytelling) and quantitative (statistical/numerical) data should guide the decision making process within our civic government going forwards. Part of that process is building trust within the Heavy Construction and Development industry in Winnipeg. I do not work in the industry but as a citizen of Winnipeg I need to know that the sector leaders are willing to allow citizens to be at the table when conversations such as procurement processes are discussed. Trust and Respect are gained mutually and must be reciprocal before I can fully be a champion of this or any other implementation plan to improve city services. Which is why my early platform announcement was about the expansion and rebranding the “Office of Public Engagement” into the “Office of Civic Engagement.” Civics defined is knowing your rights, responsibility, duties, and values towards a city. Knowledge experts and accountability to the citizens will be the guiding value I believe will also be crucial going forwards.”
    
• Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Rana Bokhari, Jenny Motkaluk, Don Woodstock, Glen Murray, Kevin Klein, Idris Adelakun, Rick Shone:
  • No response.

2. If elected, what other actions will you take to increase social purchasing practices in the City of Winnipeg with positive social, economic, and environmental benefits for our local community?

• Scott Gillingham:
  • “Longer term tendering practices so that planning is easier and economical and there’s economies of scale. Ride sharing and electric vehicles for city fleet management. A recognition of the need for diverse voices in employment practices and hiring. Our annual report in diversity has not been meeting its our goals and we need to work towards a workforce that reflects our city. As mayor I would support the initiatives put in place already by the city in its adoption of a four-pillar model which promotes a comprehensive approach to sustainable procurement that addresses supply chain opportunities across four pillars: environmental, ethical, social, and Indigenous. This is important because it addresses environmental and ethical risks and opportunities as well as opportunities in the social and Indigenous areas.”
    
• Shaun Loney:
  • “Mayor as Champion, rallying around reducing emergency service workloads and promoting employment for newcomers, indigenous folks, people with disabilities and others with little connection to the labour market.”
    
• Chris Clacio:
  • “During the summer of Aug 2nd, 2022 I had released my entire platform document. In it I have made the vow that I would reform the current “Request for Proposal” procurement process into a “Qualification-Based Selection” procurement and purchasing process. This was a suggestion made back in 2018 when I was registered as a mayoral candidate by QBS Canada in an email. Disappointed to hear during the Executive Policy Committee chair questioning and challenging the work of the working group that I believe citizens should have push for the QBS process instead of maintaining the current RFx process back in 2014. One of my platform vows is the creation of an open-contracting data standards (or smart contracts) within the city procurement process. Citizens can learn more at https://www.open-contracting.org/. I truly believe that to removing a lot of red tape and city bureaucracy and replacing it with new technologies like machine learning, app and website development, and smart cities tech will be a cost-effective way to find 2% efficiency within our city budget that will allow the city to pay off our structural infrastructure deficit slowly but surely. I also push for the restructuring of the entire public administration and governance structure to allow for the culture within city hall to allow for innovative experts and perspectives to change many city processes. Which I believe has been undermining the work of the working group from the very beginning as I followed along with what the city has been doing for social purchasing or procurement. I truly believe that implementing the QBS process is to fundamentally change to how both major road and building construction projects get to be awarded in the process.”
    
• Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Rana Bokhari, Jenny Motkaluk, Don Woodstock, Glen Murray, Kevin Klein, Idris Adelakun, Rick Shone:
  • No response.

Candidates for Council

1. If elected, will you champion the implementation of Winnipeg’s Sustainable Procurement Action Plan as passed by Council in July 2022, including a dedicated staff person and third party expert engagement? (Possible Answers – yes, no, somewhat. Follow up: If yes, how? If somewhat or no, why?)

• Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• Daniel McIntyre
  • Cindy Gilroy: Yes. “I support hiring staff and third party input.”
  • Sal Infantino: Yes. “I will work with the Sustainable Procurement Action Plan Committee to ensure a viable strategies across multiple departments.”
  • Omar Kinnarath: Yes. “I would make sure all procurement in terms of material and talent come from the citizens first, gather a list of businesses we should be dealing with, and which ones are fully staffed by Winnipegers, rather than them just having an office here.”
    
• Elmwood – East Kildonan
  • Jason Schreyer: no response.
  • Ryan Kochie: Yes. “The city procures a lot of items over the year for various departments, and having that overseed and properly audited is important. Part of that is making sure that there is someone who is making sure we are making the best decisions possible for the environment, for the people, for the community. Supporting small local businesses when possible helps our economy and ensures money stays local to be cycled around, as well has positive environmental impacts by having less shipping, by ensuring we are buying products that were made with care and are suited to our city’s needs.”
    
• Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry
  • Michael Thompson: no response.
  • Sherri Rollins: Yes. “I already supported in 2022, and don’t intend on changing my vote. I remain consistently in favour of social procurement health and community efforts on social procurement design at the city of Winnipeg.”
    
• Mynarski
  • Ed Radchenka: Yes. “I AM ONLY ONE VOICE.i appreciate the opportunity to help work with SPAP.”
  • Ross Eadie: Yes. “While always working for a better future for the Mynarski Ward and Winnipeg, I voted to establish that new “social procurement policy”.  I will continue to support, but you must know that I strongly believe the city’s Public Service should be expanded into places that were taken away over the years.  The City of Winnipeg is a social enterprise.”
  • Steve Snyder: no response.
  • Natalie Smith: Yes. “I will champion the implementation of Winnipeg’s Sustainable Procurement Action Plan by ensuring that any and all budget dollars be allocated to the hiring and support of this dedicated staff person and for third party expert engagement. Mynarski is the home to many of the amazing social enterprises and the workers that stand to gain the most from this programs implementation and will be a major investment for the ward.”
  • Aaron McDowell: Yes. “Yes. Prior to the SPAP Winnipeg was very focused on lowest up front cost instead of the bigger picture. I believe working with local experts and community leaders to develop a procurement plan that is not only cost effective in the long run but also considers the ethical, environmental, and economic effects of its spending. Sustainability and equity should be paramount.”
    
• North Kildonan
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• Old Kildonan
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• Point Douglas
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• River Heights – Fort Garry
  • John Orlikow: Yes. “As mentioned, I voted in favor of this plan, and will continue to support future motions and iterations on on the action plan to continue to make procurement practices fair, open and transparent.”
  • Brant Field: no response.
  • Gary Lenko: no response.
    
• St. Boniface
  • Matt Allard: no response.
  • Marcel Boille: Somewhat. “Unable to answer yes or no, because I now very little about this, and would need to have the time to look at it, something that I don’t have time to do right now.”
  • Nicholas Douklias: no response.
    
• St. James
  • Daevid Ramey: Yes. “The new role should entrenched in the Materials Management Team to ensure sustainable procurement is a part of every conversation with a reporting dotted line going to the Office of Sustainability. Clear goals and metrics will be necessary for success. Soft language like “recommend” and “wherever possible’ will enable too many projects to opt out. We should be looking to other municipalities that have strong integrated strategies for guidance and then adjust for scale and current capabilities.”
  • Kelly Ryback: no response.
  • Eddie Ayoub: Yes. ‘The dedicated staff person will have to be a City of Winnipeg employee. Any third party expert will have to be employed by a not-for profit, arms length organization or body. It will be essential to make proper connections and build relationships with all of the various city departments so staff have a good understanding of why we are moving to sustainable procurement. Respect, communication, education, listening to concerns and answering questions will be an integral part of implementing this action plan.”
  • Tim Diack: no response.
  • Shawn Dobson: no response.
    
• St. Norbert – Seine River
  • Markus Chambers: Yes. “I worked with stakeholders to develop a motion that was eventually approved to move this work forward. I advocated for the hiring of Buy Social to provide best practices for Winnipeg to consider. I will continue to be a voice at city hall for proper social procurement practices that provide a community benefit. A win win for all.”
    
• St. Vital
  • Brian Mayes: Yes. “I voted for it and will work to implement it.”
  • Baljeet Sharma: no response.
  • Derrick Dujlovic: no response.
    
• Transcona
  • No responses from any candidate.
    
• Waverley West
  • Pascal Scott: no response.
  • Janice Lukes: Yes. “There will be many new councillors / and many councillors from former term could use more in depth understanding of the sustainable procurement action plan will work. I will champion info sessions – which I HIGHLY recommend you also do.”

2. If elected, what other actions will you take to increase social purchasing practices in the City of Winnipeg with positive social, economic, and environmental benefits for our local community?

• Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• Daniel McIntyre
  • Cindy Gilroy: “Hiring, purchasing and community input.”
  • Sal Infantino: “I will ensure to have Targeted Purchased with Social organization what have the ability fill the need.”
  • Omar Kinnarath: “I would prioritize procurement from Indigenous led enterprises and amplify any newcomer enterprises that have goods and services that the city might be able to use.”
    
• Elmwood – East Kildonan
  • Jason Schreyer: no response.
  • Ryan Kochie: “I think having an emphasis for city employees who are in charge of purchasing to ensure they are making the best choices and when the city tenders bids to ensure part of the review process before a bid goes out is that it includes information on what the city is looking for in terms of social and sustainable procurement. That we make it clear we want businesses to be socially minded, to put the environment first, with consulting indigenous stakeholders on issues, that we work these tenets into all our procurement processes so that it becomes standard procedure and hopefully reflects on how businesses work in this city as we need to lead by example.”
    
• Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry
  • Michael Thompson: no response.
  • Sherri Rollins: “Please see my climate justice, climate resilience platform documents at www.VoteSherriRollins.ca“
    
• Mynarski
  • Ed Radchenka: “Again I am only one voice With negotiation with other council members. we can solve lots. I will follow all Protocol, and BE VOICE OF THE FUTURE”
  • Ross Eadie: “My campaign commitment in short on better jobs follows: Better Employment with the City. This year the city had a very hard time hiring workers to fulfill the goals of city services because we no longer pay living wages. Continuing my work towards providing good paying city jobs, the new reality for the city will give incentive to a new City Council for those better jobs.  Working for the city in the past provided good jobs at a decent wage for our North End & West Kildonan families.  For a couple of decades City Council has ignored its former role in providing these decent jobs that ensured we could raise our families to experience a better future.
  • Steve Snyder: no response.
  • Natalie Smith: “If elected, I would call upon the local organizations, social enterprises and experts in these fields to make informed decisions that will benefit our local community the most. The City has so many well researched and field tested ideas and solutions that need to be allocated the proper funding to ensure their success. This is something I will work hard to ensure takes place to better our community.”
  • Aaron McDowell: “While it is important to be fiscally responsible Winnipeg must also be conscientious of the social effects. A more open line of communication between the City and community leaders will help increase accountability and generate opportunities for organizations that may have been otherwise overlooked as avenues for development. Making a more transparent vetting process of city spending will instill trust and honesty in both the constituents and city hall. We can do better.”
    
• North Kildonan
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• Old Kildonan
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• Point Douglas
  • No response from any candidates.
    
• River Heights – Fort Garry
  • John Orlikow: “If elected, I will continue to evaluate the City’s purchasing behaviour through the four pillars (environmental, ethical, social, and Indigenous.) when creating and voting on Council motions, as I always have in the past.”
  • Brant Field: no response.
  • Gary Lenko: no response.
    
• St. Boniface
  • Matt Allard: no response.
  • Marcel Boille: “Again same answer as previous question. I have always supported the idea of buying locally providing that local does not want to take advantage of you for doing so.”
  • Nicholas Douklias: no response.
    
• St. James
  • Daevid Ramey: “A successful launch and acceptance of the policy means bringing our partners along the way. I would work with local businesses to ensure they understand or are given value for the our new direction and how their own businesses may already be or could be contributing to a better and more sustainable city.”
  • Kelly Ryback: no response.
  • Eddie Ayoub: “This action plan is excellent. Let’s start with implementation and see where we can improve and take things further once we’ve seen how the plan is being received and outcomes have been measured. Thank you for doing this work.”
  • Tim Diack: no response.
  • Shawn Dobson: no response.
    
• St. Norbert – Seine River
  • Markus Chambers: “Work in collaboration with stakeholder groups and council colleagues to move this work forward. Continue to research opportunities to increase the City’s capacity to create more social purpose enterprises as well as community benefits that improve our environment.”
    
• St. Vital
  • Brian Mayes: “My focus will be on the north and sewage treatment plant upgrades ensuring these are done with a social benefits lens.”
  • Baljeet Sharma: no response.
  • Derrick Dujlovic: no response.
    
• Transcona
  • No responses from any candidate.
    
• Waverley West
  • Pascal Scott: no response.
  • Janice Lukes: “Councillors are restricted from being involved in any way in the procurement process. Sharing EDUCATION on social purchasing practices with staff and the public is in my opinion the best way to make change of any kind and highlighting proven examples. Our city / and residents are in a time like no other – the need and value of social, sustainable procurement is more relevant now than ever.”

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