2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Rob Ferguson)
A week after Premier Doug Ford ordered the LCBO to buy , his government is looking to U.S.-based giant Amazon for IT services, the Star has learned.
A request for proposals to supply software to the province’s call and contact centres — such as ServiceOntario and the Family Responsibility Office — seeks vendors who use Amazon Web Services. “Bidders must demonstrate ownership or authorization as (an) AWS reseller,” says a 76-page document from the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement that sets a Dec. 4 deadline for bids with five-year contracts to begin next April.
“The bidder must provide documentation validating their status as an AWS reseller. Additionally, the bidder must maintain this status throughout the term of agreement.” The request for bids is raising concerns Ontario-based software developers already holding such contracts are being frozen out and raising questions as to why Amazon Web Services was chosen, with no known bidding process giving other companies a shot.
“It’s very disappointing to see an unfair process after the government has spent so much time about supporting Ontario businesses when they’ve pre-determined this is going to an American multinational corporation,” said an industry source speaking confidentially to discuss internal deliberations. The ministry headed by Todd McCarthy did not immediately reply to a list of questions from the Star, including why the Amazon platform was selected, what it can provide that Ontario suppliers cannot, and whether existing Ontario suppliers were asked if they could match its services. A spokesman for McCarthy said the ministry was not prepared to respond until Monday.
Supply Ontario, which is listed as a contact for potential bidders with queries, referred questions to the ministry. Late last month, Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy made it clear they wanted the LCBO to buy bags from suppliers in Ontario after executives signed a $10-million contract with a Quebec company. The premier, who has not ruled out an next year instead of waiting until the scheduled date in June 2026, wrote a letter to LCBO chair Carmine Nigro on the issue.
Ford’s office released it to the media. “We’ve been very clear we want them to use Ontario companies,” said Bethlenfalvy. “I think Ontario companies are the best around.
” Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman (Don Valley West), an accountant, said the Amazon procurement reveals an apparent “double standard” in the Progressive Conservative government. “It might not be unusual for a request for bids to have specific technical requirements. That being said, it is important for Ontario companies to bid on Ontario contracts because it gives them credibility in the international marketplace,” she added.
“I’ve talked to a lot of Ontario companies, who say ‘the first thing we get asked is ...
does your own government buy from you?’ And when you say no, that’s a lost opportunity.” McCarthy’s ministry came under fire earlier this year for But critics said the move ended contracts with independent “mom and pop” private operators in the centres in favour of an American-based retail chain. The deal is under review by the province’s independent Financial Accountability Office.
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