WHEREAS the City of Regina’s Official Community Plan identifies “Economic Growth” as a “major catalyst for shared prosperity”;
WHEREAS Goal 1 of Section 10 (“Economic Development – Economic Vitality and Competitiveness”) of the Official Community Plan states that it aims to “Foster an environment conducive to economic vitality and competitiveness which supports the standard of living of residents in Regina and the surrounding region”;
WHEREAS the City of Regina has committed to the Calls to Action embedded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, specifically #92 ii:
Ensure that Indigenous people have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the corporate sector, and that Indigenous communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects;
WHEREAS Indigenous owned businesses are exempt from trade agreements and policies negotiated by the Provincial and Federal governments; and
WHEREAS various Canadian municipalities have developed Indigenous procurement policies which creates more opportunity to Indigenous owned, operated and controlled business of all sizes;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Administration be directed to prepare a report for Executive Committee for Q2 of 2022 that provides recommendations:
1. For establishing an Indigenous Procurement Policy that is open to all Indigenous businesses, including sole operative, partnership, and not-for-profit organizations. To be considered an Indigenous business, the following must be met:
i. At least 51% of the business must be owned and controlled by Indigenous people; and
ii. If the business has more than six full-time staff, at least one third of the employees must be Indigenous;
2. For establishing a target for percentage of total awarded contracts annually to Indigenous owned and controlled businesses that the City of Regina can hold itself accountable to.
3. That considers a mandatory requirement that: At the request of the City of Regina procurement department, a contractor, owner, president, CEO, general manager or branch manager of a procured construction, maintenance or service contractor must be at City Hall in person within 90 minutes of request to discuss contract details;
4. That involves consultation with a range of various stakeholder groups including but not limited to Indigenous: owned businesses, employing businesses, leadership, Economic Development Corporations; and Community based organizations; and incorporates recommendations from same.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Masters Mayor | |