City approves transit outreach contract with Bent Arrow

Summary#

The Community and Public Services Committee approved a new, non-competitive service agreement between the City and Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society for Community Outreach Transit Team (COTT) services. The agreement starts January 1, 2027, and ends no later than December 31, 2030, with a maximum cost of $2,100,000, excluding GST. City staff say the goal is to keep outreach support available across the transit network.

  • Bent Arrow will deliver outreach support, including by pairing outreach workers with Transit Peace Officers.
  • An option to extend the agreement for up to seven more years, through December 31, 2036, is subject to Executive Committee approval. The committee did not approve that extension as part of this decision.

What it means for you#

  • People using Edmonton Transit: COTT outreach support is set to continue under the new agreement. The report describes support such as basic-needs assistance, referrals and crisis response; the decision does not guarantee a particular service to every person.
  • Bent Arrow: The Society receives the agreement to provide the services. The City Manager must find the agreement’s form and content satisfactory.
  • Taxpayers: The decision authorizes a non-competitive agreement. City staff say it fits within the existing budget and needs no new tax levy.

Money#

The approved agreement is capped at $2,100,000, excluding GST; City staff say it is covered by the Community Services Department’s existing base operating budget.

  • Any extension would need Executive Committee approval. Its cost is not stated in the amended decision.

What is unclear#

  • The supplied material does not include the revised agreement’s full terms, service requirements or detailed performance measures.
  • It does not state the cost or funding source for any future extension.
  • The decision does not set out how people can raise concerns about COTT services.

Case for#

  • City staff say the agreement would support continuity for outreach workers and community relationships, while reducing repeated short-term contract approvals.
  • City staff report that COTT made more than 26,000 interactions and engagement events since launch, and provided 1,251 emergency-shelter referrals from July 2025 to July 2026.
  • The report says pairing outreach workers with Transit Peace Officers can connect people in transit spaces with practical help and social services.

Case against#

  • The agreement is non-competitive. City staff cite trade-agreement and City procurement exemptions, but the supplied material does not compare Bent Arrow’s offer with other providers.
  • The decision approves up to $2.1 million but does not include detailed service targets or the full agreement, making it hard to assess what the City will receive for that amount.
  • Any extension could continue the arrangement for years, but requires Executive Committee approval and has no cost stated here.

Votes

Community and Public Services Committee, item 7.4 (Community Outreach Transit Team (COTT) Service Agreement): That a new non-competitive service agreement between the City of Edmonton and the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society to deliver outreach support services for the Community Outreach Transit Team, for a term commencing on January 1, 2027 and expiring no later than December 31, 2030, with a total cost not exceeding $2,100,000 (excluding GST), as outlined in revised Attachment 1 of the October 19,…

For (100%)

Community and Public Services Committee, item 7.4 (Community Outreach Transit Team (COTT) Service Agreement): That Attachment 1 of the October 19, 2026, Community Services report CS03678 be amended to: 1. delete "2036" and insert "2030"; 2. delete "$7,000,000" and insert "$2,100,000"; and 3. insert “subject to Executive Committee approval.” after “Extension Authority: Option to extend up to seven additional years (through December 31, 2036) for a 10-year maximum term, "

For (100%)