City of Winnipeg faces criticism for controversial towing contract

A company that lost a bid on a City of Winnipeg towing contract is accusing the city of failing to be transparent in the writing, bidding and evaluation of it.

The gate on a sought-after contract with the City of Winnipeg has shut for Bison Towing.

The company’s director, Zakria Shoaib, is speaking out, saying the city has failed to be transparent in its dealings — which he wasn’t expecting after moving to Winnipeg from Pakistan.

“I was wondering if there would be accountability,” Shoaib said. “But unfortunately, after being involved in this process, the expectations haven’t been met and things are not as they seem to be.”

Shoaib said his company was the lowest bidder on the Winnipeg police towing contract at $14.70. This to tow and store police vehicles, but also any vehicles officers seize, which makes it a multi-million-dollar deal.

When he asked why his company was turned away, he said he was told Bison Towing didn’t have enough storage space.

He begs to differ.

“I have the proof. It is 1,250 square feet. The requirement is 1,200 square feet. So if you need more space, you have to put that in the contract,” he said. “But my main problem is not that I didn’t get the contract. I want the process to be fair for everyone in the industry.”

After receiving multiple complaints about the document from different companies, city councillor Janice Lukes started investigating.