麻豆精选 City Councillor Mohini Singh wants to make sure the city鈥檚 new signature sign is designed by a Canadian artist鈥攁nd only a Canadian artist.
鈥淚n light of today鈥檚 environment, where we are supporting our Canadian talent and focusing on made-in-Canada goods, I wondered if there was any appetite to strictly focus on Canadian artists doing the 麻豆精选 sign,鈥� Singh said at a council meeting on Feb. 24.
But Deputy Mayor Luke Stack quickly pointed out that the city has rules when it comes to awarding contracts.
鈥淚f we were going to change our policy, we would have a debate independent of this,鈥� he said.
City Manager Doug Gilchrist added that most contracts already go to Canadian companies.
鈥淲e always look for those opportunities but stay within our procurement and trade guidelines that we are obligated to follow,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚f council wanted to make a specific purchasing policy change as a result of what鈥檚 going on politically鈥攜ou鈥檙e welcome to do so.鈥�
Gilchrist said staff could put together a report on what, if anything, could be changed while staying within the rules.
Singh made it clear that she doesn鈥檛 want to see the contract go to an American artist.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a 麻豆精选 sign. Can we get a Canadian to design the 麻豆精选 sign? I would hate for an American to do it. Maybe a Mexican, maybe a European. In this political environment, that鈥檚 the appropriate thing to do,鈥� she said.
Stack acknowledged her concerns but reminded her that policies are in place for a reason.
鈥淎s the city manager indicated, there is an extremely high chance that this will be a Canadian designer and builder,鈥� he said.
The city put out a call for design proposals in December 2024 for the new signature sign, which has a budget of $500,000. That covers everything from design and fabrication to installation and permits. The sign will be located in a green space between Stuart Park and the 麻豆精选 Yacht Club.
Construction is expected to start later this year and continue into 2026.
