Winnipeg news: Tartan Towing files defamation lawsuit [Video]

A Winnipeg towing company is suing a Winnipeg city councillor and another company, claiming comments they made about contracts in the city have defamed them.

Tartan Towing is suing Coun. Janice Lukes and Bison Towing, along with one of its partners, Zakira Shoaib, claiming media comments they made regarding the towing contract they received harmed their business and personal reputations, and caused them to lose income.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Court of King’s Bench, comes after Tartan Towing bid on and was awarded a contract from the City of Winnipeg to tow vehicles for the Winnipeg Police Service in August 2024.

The contract came as the city had sued Tartan for allegedly overbilling the city $1.1 million for snow-clearing tows. Tartan has countersued the city, and the issue remains before the court.

On Nov. 4, 2024, Shoaib was interviewed on CJOB radio and made comments that Tartan claimed were defamatory.

“Over there, it’s simple, straight forward; you give them money, you get a contract. There …