Police HQ on agenda as mayor, mayor-elect meet

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This article was published 28/10/2022 (1044 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg mayor-elect Scott Gillingham received some advice Friday from the civic leader he will soon replace, during a private “transition” meeting.

Gillingham said he and Mayor Brian Bowman, who did not seek re-election, discussed several important files.

“We just talked in general about several legal matters. One of the things that we have both agreed on is just to pursue the police headquarters matter (in court). We just talked about that a little bit at length and highlighted some of the collective (bargaining) agreements that are coming due and what’s coming next,” said Gillingham, who spoke to reporters following the meeting.

The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters project cost about $214 million, well beyond its initial $135-million price tag. An external audit found it was severely mismanaged. In 2020, the city launched a civil suit, alleging a fraud.

Bowman challenged mayoral candidates to publicly commit to ensuring the city’s legal action over the police HQ is completed, which Gillingham did.

The mayor-elect expects one of his most immediate priorities will be to improve the city’s financial outlook.

“I think there’s no doubt that we are still facing the financial pressures of the (COVID-19) pandemic and inflation. So, I need to find out immediately from our (chief financial officer) what the status of the city’s finances are as we come to the end of this year,” said Gillingham.

A September finance report predicted the city will end 2022 with a $55.9-million operating deficit, along with a separate $14.7-million Winnipeg Transit shortfall.

Gillingham said it’s just starting to slowly sink in he will be the next mayor, but he feels confident his eight years of experience as a city councillor will help him take on the role.

Gillingham is to be sworn in Tuesday.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga