Orlikow takes health leave from Winnipeg city council

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This article was published 28/07/2023 (833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Coun. John Orlikow is taking a temporary leave of absence from Winnipeg city council, citing unspecified physical health concerns.

The departure includes stepping down from the executive policy committee, serving as chairman of the community services committee, and council’s budget working group.

“Recently, I have been experiencing some physical health issues and, after speaking with my doctor, I have decided that it is best that I take a temporary leave from council,” Orlikow said in a written statement.

The River Heights-Fort Garry councillor, who was first elected in 2009, said he looks forward “to returning soon.”

Orlikow’s decision follows a judge’s ruling July 7 that blamed the councillor for directing City of Winnipeg staff to deliberately delay progress on a proposal to develop the former Parker lands.

While Orlikow did not grant an interview request Friday, his executive assistant, Georgina Sabesky, said the leave is not related to the legal ruling.

In the decision, Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Justice Shauna McCarthy found former chief planner Braden Smith and senior city planner Michael Robinson liable for “misfeasance in public office.” The judge concluded they deliberately delayed progress on the Fulton Grove development at the former Parker lands, and ordered the city to pay $5 million in damages to Andrew Marquess of Gem Equities.

The ruling also stated Orlikow interfered with the approval process.

“The evidence is also clear, in my view, that the impetus and motivation for this deliberate interference with the plaintiffs’ applications were primarily the wishes and demands of the area councillor, and the desire of some public servants to accommodate those wishes,” wrote McCarthy.

The Fulton Grove development will add 1,918 housing units on 47 acres of south Winnipeg land surrounded by the CN Railway Rivers line and southwest rapid transitway.

Orlikow was not a defendant in the case. He recently told media he was “quite shocked” by the judge’s conclusion and will seek steps to clear his name.

“My understanding was, and still is, there was no delay on my part… I had nothing to do with that,” he said.

On Friday, Mayor Scott Gillingham wished Orlikow well in his absence.

“The focus right now is Coun. Orlikow’s health, and I’m hoping that he gets stronger and healthier soon, and it will be great to have him back fully engaged in council,” said Gillingham.

The mayor named Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), first elected in October 2022, to take over as chairman of the community services committee and join EPC.

“Coun. Duncan has done a really excellent job. Even in his first year of council, he’s obviously a quick learner, making great contributions… And given what we’ve got going in on the city right now, with just the sheer rise in youth crime, I think his voice will be more important because his background is in the youth justice and youth counselling system,” said Gillingham.

Duncan, who worked with youth in custody and in the community through Manitoba Justice, said he expects to bring new insight to the EPC table.

While he noted the timing of his appointment was unexpected, the councillor said serving as a member of the community services committee over the past nine months has provided background knowledge that will help him in the new role.

“It’s what you prepare yourself for, to take on those larger leadership roles and I’m ready for the challenge,” said Duncan.

Orlikow’s office will remain open while he’s away, with staff in place to serve ward residents.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga