Deputy mayor wants more transparency in towing contracts, police reviewing process
Zakria Shoaib was confident his company, Bison Towing, would win a contract to tow Winnipeg police vehicles, considering his bid was a mere $14.70 per tow, a lowball offer.
"We knew that we were the lowest bidder," said Shoaib. “All of a sudden we know that we didn't get the contract."
The contract goes beyond towing police cars. It also covers seized vehicles connected to crime ,where impound fees can add up. Shoaib says that’s the real value for a winning bidder, and adds millions of dollars to the deal. But he says the bid opportunity was vague on many of those details.
“The contract is made in a way to favour some specific people in the industry,” said Shoaib.
Bison is just two years old, but Shoaib still figured out what’s included, so he put in the paltry bid, and still lost out on the contract.
"I'm definitely questioning the fairness of the process."
He took his concerns to Deputy Mayor Janice Lukes, who did some digging.
“It set off a lot of red flags and it was very concerning," said Lukes.
Lukes says since 2013, key information has been removed from bid opportunities. She wants more clarity and an external investigation.
"I'm not comfortable about what's going on, I’m not feeling comfortable about how contracts are written in and open and transparent manor that everyone can understand that we can have good competitive bidding on," said Lukes.
The city told CTV News that it found inconsistencies with various towing contracts. It says this police vehicle contract will not be renewed in 12 months, and will be put back out to tender.
It says the new bid opportunity will include the quantities and descriptions for the towing of non police vehicles under the contract.
But the city says the current contract was awarded to the lowest compliant bidder, and little has changed over the years in terms of bid details.
"There haven’t been significant changes to the key areas of the bid instructions and qualifications in 2024 compared to the two previous iterations (2019 & 2014)."
In response to the councillor’s concerns the Winnipeg police service says it acted immediately. In a statement, Superintendent Brian Miln says an internal review was launched.
"The WPS has since identified a gap in our contract administration processes and is conducting a thorough examination of our procedures and whether or not towing recoveries were properly submitted to the WPS. " said MIln
The contract stipulates towing companies are to remit $25 per tow.
Lukes is pleased the police are conducting a review, but still wants another set of eyes.
"I'd like to see outside, outside forces,” said Lukes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
DEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canada Post workers are on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with their employer. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says approximately 55,000 workers are striking.
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
W5 Exclusive Police bust reveals stolen vehicles en route from Canada to Africa – with reprogrammed key fobs
In part three of a CTV W5 investigation into how car thieves are able to drive off with modern cars so easily, correspondent Jon Woodward accompanied York Regional Police on a bust to find clues in one vehicle.
opinion Canada's immigration crackdown could make for a more willing partner in Trump
Washington political analyst Eric Ham says recent immigration crackdowns in Canada could be the basis for a friendlier relationship with the U.S., during President-elect Donald Trump's second four-year term.
Toronto couple fights over Taylor Swift tickets in divorce settlement
A Toronto couple bought two tickets to one of Taylor Swift's tour stops in the city, but unfortunately their love story didn't last and now they're fighting for who gets the seats.
From passport applications to letters to Santa: How are you dealing with the Canada Post strike?
CTVNews.ca wants to speak to Canadians of all backgrounds, whether you're a parent, student, worker, professional or business owner, about their concerns regarding the Canada Post strike.
U.S. deploys facial biometric system at Peace Bridge border crossing
U.S. border officials have deployed an 'innovative facial biometric test' in select lanes at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry.
What to know about bird flu, poultry and dairy farms
People have been hearing a lot about H5N1 bird flu -- or highly pathogenic avian influenza -- since a B.C. teen became the first human to get the virus in Canada and is in hospital.