February 10, 2021 – Councillor Dudas introduced and received unanimous consent on her motion to introduce a social procurement policy for the City of Ottawa. As the City continues to implement multiple economic recovery programs and initiatives in response to the impact of the pandemic, a new social procurement policy will leverage the City’s buying power to increase the community benefits such as hiring local workers. For more information on social procurement policies there is an FAQ below:
Councillor Dudas Speaks to Social Procurement Policy at Council
What is Social Procurement?
Social procurement is using the existing buying power of the City of Ottawa to increase the community benefits such as hiring local workers or providing training opportunities to disadvantaged youth and considering that benefit as part of the procurement process.
Will this cost the City more money?
No. Social procurement policies are simply an addition to existing procurement policies to ensure that the City is maximizing the benefits of its purchases, while also helping residents who face barriers accessing the labour market, furthering the economic and social growth of Ottawa.
Will this limit competition of who can bid on City of Ottawa contracts?
No. Social procurement policies will actually increase the diversity of companies able to bid on procurement contracts and encourage businesses to work with local suppliers that provide community benefits. The Procurement process will still go through a competitive and transparent bidding process, while also accounting for the community benefit.
Are there other municipalities that have social procurement policies?
Yes. Several other major Canadian cities have successfully introduced social procurement policies including: Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax.
