Bison Towing, a company that bid on a towing contract with the City of Winnipeg, has accused the city of lacking transparency in its dealings. The company’s director, Zakria Shoaib, expressed disappointment in the process after moving to Winnipeg from Pakistan. Despite being the lowest bidder at $14.70, Bison Towing was turned away due to allegedly not having enough storage space, a claim that Shoaib disputes. He believes that the city’s decision-making process should be fair to all companies in the industry, not just based on arbitrary requirements.
City councillor Janice Lukes began investigating after receiving complaints from multiple companies about the lack of transparency in the city’s contracting process. Lukes found a concerning trend in the transparency of contracts issued by the city over the years, with each subsequent contract becoming less transparent than the previous one. This is particularly troubling given that an audit in 2020 had made recommendations for proper oversight of city contracts, which Lukes believes are not being followed. She has raised concerns about the purchasing department’s oversight and transparency in managing contracts.
The City of Winnipeg responded to the accusations by stating that additional legal language was added to the bid instructions in 2024 but claimed that the key areas of the bid instructions and qualifications had not significantly changed compared to previous iterations. The city acknowledged inconsistencies in tow contracts and admitted that the bid sheet may not have been clear, leading to incorrect bids. As a result, the request for proposal is being re-tendered to ensure a more clear and fair bidding process for all interested companies.
Lukes has expressed a need for an external investigation to look into the city’s contracting practices. While she has not yet called for RCMP involvement, she believes that depending on the information she receives, it may become a possibility. Shoaib also agrees that external action is necessary to address the lack of transparency and fairness in the city’s contracting process. He warns that if the city continues to operate in this manner, they may discourage companies from bidding in the future, leading to a lack of competition in the industry.
Overall, the situation with Bison Towing and the City of Winnipeg highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in the contracting process. Both Shoaib and Lukes have raised concerns about the lack of oversight and proper reporting in city contracts, calling for accountability and a more transparent process for all interested companies. As the city works to re-tender the request for proposal, it is essential that steps are taken to ensure that all companies have a fair chance to bid and compete for city contracts. An external investigation may be necessary to address any potential issues and restore trust in the city’s contracting practices.
