Delay sought for city governance review recommendations

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This article was published 13/05/2022 (1482 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg city council doesn’t appear set to act on recommendations from an extensive governance review until next year, including some meant to prevent perceived voting blocks.

On Friday, the governance committee unanimously voted to delay its decision on the proposed changes until as late as February.

Coun. Janice Lukes, a frequent critic of the current model, supported the delay, arguing recent city challenges have thwarted attempts to draw political and public attention to governance issues.

“Everyone in the city has been… incredibly busy with the snows that we had… the torrential rains and the flooding that we’re dealing with. (And) we’re at the point where we’ve got mayoral candidates and we’ll soon have councillor candidates coming forward (for the 2023 election). So why not let the public hear (candidates’) perspectives on what they think of the governance model?” said Lukes.

A key recommendation from the third-party review calls to establish a maximum number of mayoral appointments that must not exceed 50 per cent of council, including the mayor.

That would prevent the practice that currently allows Winnipeg’s mayor to handpick six councillors to join the executive policy committee (which the mayor leads), as well as a deputy mayor and acting deputy mayor.

Council critics say that creates a voting block of nine that can then control key final votes of council’s 16 members.

Lukes said she’s personally concerned EPC members receive far more power and information than non-EPC councillors.

However, she said, it’s clear potholes and severe weather have kept the spotlight off the issue, while the COVID-19 pandemic also interfered with public consultations.

“People are going to call us on potholes but they’re not going to call us on governance issues. But (the topic is) incredibly important,” she said.

Those who support the EPC model say its practice of assigning select councillors to key portfolios helps elected officials gain expertise on complex topics and make informed decisions.

The delay awaits a final council vote.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga