Proposed bylaw offers more accountability

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This article was published 05/06/2020 (2096 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Amid the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Winnipeg city council will consider a new emergency management bylaw that aims to strengthen some accountability measures and invite community input.

If approved by council, the changes would formally permit the City of Winnipeg chief administrative officer to respond quickly when an emergency threatens to harm key city operations, staff or Winnipeg residents.

“It’s about being able to delegate and being nimble… to do the things that we need to do to be able to save lives and properties,” said Jason Shaw, assistant chief of emergency management.

The CAO would also officially have the power to provide emergency help to other jurisdictions “on a cost-recovery basis.”

When the top bureaucrat is permitted to take immediate emergency actions during a disaster, that person would be required to report to council within 24 hours of such action being taken.

When a state of local emergency is declared, those measures could include travel restrictions, evacuations, quarantines and the use of personal property to address an imminent threat.

While the city’s charter already allows broad powers during an emergency, Shaw said the new bylaw would ensure timely reporting to elected officials takes place.

“It puts a tremendous amount of accountability on the public service,” he said. “It requires us to report any use of powers or actions immediately to council.”

The city is also asked to create a new emergency management leadership team that includes the mayor, council’s protection chairperson and senior public servants.

A community emergency advisory committee is also proposed, which would allow members of the public to help guide the emergency management program. The committee would represent Indigenous peoples, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, seniors, and youth. Shaw said such input would help ensure emergency responses are culturally sensitive.

“The community advisory group is there to be able to bring folks that may not have a voice in emergency management… to be able to support and provide advice,” he said.

Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry), chairwoman of council’s protection committee, called the reporting requirements for emergency measures “a critical accountability piece.”

Rollins said the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic displayed why the ability to quickly implement emergency powers is needed.

“When we moved to close facilities in response to the public health orders, in some cases, we were moving faster than 24 hours. That flexibility is really critical to have,” she said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca