Policy Framework
Social Procurement is the practice of using existing purchasing to promote social, environmental, and cultural goals. It is a growing international practise as it is an effective policy tool to achieve multiple economic and social outcomes and a strong return on investment.
Returns can include reductions in crime, savings in health-care and emergency costs, reduced strain on social assistance systems, and higher employment in the community – all of which contributes to vibrant and sustainable communities with high quality of life.
For government, social procurement meets taxpayers’ expectations of financial prudence by leveraging procurement dollars already within the budget to simultaneously fulfil a procurement need as well as contribute to governmental social objectives.
2 Policy Options
Social Purchasing
Social Purchasing acquires goods and services for operations directly from community social enterprises that are dedicated to serving their social, environmental, and economic purposes.
Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs)
CBAs are pre-determined and defined social value outcomes that will be delivered as part of a significant infrastructure or land development project like building a bridge, a road, school, hospital, office tower, or transit system.
Economic Formula
By accounting for economic benefits of more local employment and procurement, more training and education opportunities for marginalized populations, neighbourhood revitalization, and economic opportunities and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the financial equation is more robust than the narrow consideration of individual projects.
Recommendation to The City of Winnipeg
It is our recommendation to the City of Winnipeg that within the constraints of existing budgets, a social procurement policy assigns ten percent (10%) of the selection value to community benefits provisions for future projects undertaken by the City, and set aside direct placement with social enterprises when appropriate.
Partner Organizations
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Canadian Community Economic Development Network |
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Buy Social |
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LITE: Local Investment Toward Employment |
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BUILD INC. |
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North End Community Renewal Corp. |
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Mother Earth Recycling |
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Purpose Construction |
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Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg |
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Manitoba Building Trades |
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New Directions Property Services |
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Sustainable Building Manitoba |