I would simply say that the City of Hamilton has done its own study and found their reduction of bidding elevated the cost of the water treatment plant, for example, by up to 40%. The City of Hamilton has also found tendering scenarios that have elevated the cost by up to 80%. They've conducted that research. I think I quoted in my remarks the comments from the public works committee chair who reflected that. They said it is very clear in their experience that when you control for wages—and keep in mind they had a fair wage policy already—the simple reduction of 90% of the bidders in some cases inflates the cost. That's clearly spelled out in their experience.
On May 9th, 2013. See this statement in context.