Cardus report supports open bidding on City of Toronto projects

TORONTO — New research from Cardus shows the City of Toronto could save $347 million by opening up bidding on its public projects.

Toronto currently has collective agreements with 10 building trades that limits bids on projects to contractors affiliated with those unions, shutting out alternative unions and their contractors, such as the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA).

“Toronto has run out of excuses not to support opening up public projects to a competitive bidding process,” said PCA vice-president Karen Renkema in a statement. “It’s time the city tapped into the talents of many innovative contractors and workers who know how to provide good public value on construction work.”

The Cardus report, Better Choices for Toronto: Finding Money for Safety, Environment and Mental Health, suggested that the savings could go to other civic priorities.

Renkema added “We strongly urge Toronto council to put public tax dollars to far better use, by endorsing a legislative change that would bring an end to costly and outdated procurement practices.”