Bison Towing, a company that was the lowest bidder on the Winnipeg police towing contract, has been denied the contract due to lack of storage space, according to the City of Winnipeg. However, the company’s director, Zakria Shoaib, disputes this claim, stating that his company meets the required storage space of 1,200 square feet. Shoaib is concerned about the lack of transparency in the city’s dealings, and he wants the process to be fair for everyone in the towing industry. City councillor Janice Lukes also began investigating after receiving multiple complaints about the contract, uncovering a lack of transparency in recent contracts issued by the city.
Lukes found that the transparency in contracts issued by the city has decreased over the years, with the most recent contract in 2024 lacking essential information such as the number of tows, storage requirements, and reporting. This is concerning, especially considering an audit conducted in 2020 that made recommendations for proper contract oversight. Despite the recommendations being implemented, Lukes believes they are not being adhered to, raising questions about how the purchasing department is overseeing contract administration and transparency. She has raised these concerns with the public service but has yet to receive satisfactory answers.
The City of Winnipeg responded to the concerns raised by stating that additional legal language was added to improve processes, but there have not been significant changes to the bid instructions and qualifications in the 2024 contract compared to previous iterations. Inconsistencies have been identified between tow contracts, leading the city to re-tender the request for proposal. Lukes believes that the situation warrants an external investigation to ensure accountability and transparency in the city’s contracting processes.
Both Lukes and Shoaib feel that external action, such as involving the RCMP, may be necessary to address the lack of transparency and potential issues in the city’s contracting practices. Shoaib is concerned that if the city continues to operate in this manner, it will drive out companies in the towing industry, leaving them with limited competition and potentially impacting the quality and fairness of the services provided. As concerns about the city’s contract administration and transparency continue to escalate, there is a growing need for external oversight and accountability to ensure fair and equitable practices in contracting with the City of Winnipeg.
