Gillingham promises to help level playing field for local biz if re-elected

Scott Gillingham promises to take new steps to ensure local businesses can compete for the hundreds of millions of dollars in city contracts awarded each year, if re-elected as mayor.

The campaign promise follows the city’s controversial decision to replace longstanding Winnipeg restaurant Salisbury House with an American company at the city-owned Kildonan Park and Windsor Park golf courses. That contract for food and beverage service took effect April 1.

Gillingham acknowledged public opposition to the move is one of the reasons he’s revisiting the issue.

“As mayor, I want as many opportunities for local companies to benefit from work the city procures,” he said.

Gillingham noted the issue sparked debate over which companies count as Canadian, since the golf contract was awarded to Aramark Canada, the Canadian branch of a major U.S.-based company.

The incumbent’s pledge includes a proposal to seek national guidance on how municipalities should define foreign ownership when applying Buy Canadian policies.

He also wants the city to create a permanent list of pre-qualified bidders, which he said would help local businesses become aware of, and compete for, city opportunities.

And he would ask city council to see if more evaluation points can be awarded to companies whose proposals for city work and services would produce local economic benefits, such as jobs, training and investment.

“I would like council … (to) ask our public service to see if we can increase the weight and, in essence, the points that we award to local benefits. We do have trade agreements that we abide by. But what I want to know is can we do more even within those trade agreements to put greater weight on local benefits,” said Gillingham.

In May, Gillingham did not vote for a proposal that called for city staff to provide options to update the city’s tendering process so it awards some points to local businesses. At the time, he warned that could break trade rules.

On Friday, the mayor said he doesn’t see his campaign pledge as a reversal from past decisions because its focus remains on working within trade limits.

“I don’t know if it’s as much of a change of stance as I want clarity on it,” said Gillingham.

City council is already waiting for a staff report on possible bid criteria that could help ensure local companies get “equal and fair” opportunity to bid on city contracts. It is expected in December.

The operations manager of Salisbury House, who opposed the golf course contract decision in the spring, welcomed the election promise.

“We are pleased to see this is included in this campaign to provide a level playing field for Winnipeg and Manitoba businesses,” said Dave Petrishen.

Gillingham is one of 11 people registered to run for mayor. Election Day is Oct. 28.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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