The city has instated a 2-year moratorium on giving jobs to a contractor that was involved in its beleaguered Tim Hortons Field stadium project.

"For now I think there needs to be a period of time based on our experience with this company to basically heal our wounds before we consider anything … in the future," said Coun. Sam Merulla.

Merulla made the motion Wednesday after a closed session discussion about the city's relationship with the contractor, Kenaidan, a Mississauga company that missed the stadium completion deadline by months.

The contractor, Kenaidan, told city councillors on Monday that it was "extremely sorry" for the delays and problems with the stadium, and asked the city to keep hiring it for jobs.

"We are extremely sorry," David Kirkland, chief operating officer, told city council's audit, finance and administration committee.

"It injured our reputation. It's something we regret, and we will regret for a long time."

Kenaidan was 25 per cent of the Ontario Sports Solutions consortium, which Infrastructure Ontario hired to build the $145-million stadium in time for the 2015 Pan Am Games. The city assumed ownership after the stadium was substantially complete.

The city is about to settle a lawsuit with the builder over construction delays.

But in the meantime, Merulla said, the decision Wednesday will disqualify Kenaidan from being involved in city projects through March 7, 2019.

"I think there are a number of projects that they wanted to be involved with," Merulla said. "It has nothing to do with the litigation, from my perspective, but their apology speaks volumes."