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COUNCIL AND ITS POWERS
Council is the governing body of the City and the custodian of its
powers, both legislative and administrative. The City may exercise only those powers granted to it
by legislation.
Policy making at the local level is limited and controlled by provincial
government statute. The former City of Winnipeg Act was replaced by the new
The City of Winnipeg Charter,
which came into force on January 1, 2003. The City of Winnipeg Charter provides the majority of powers
and authority to the City of Winnipeg. However, other statutes extend additional authority to City
Council in its decision making process.
The composition of City Council is legislated under Part 3 of
The City of Winnipeg Charter
and consists of 15 Councillors and the Mayor. Each Councillor represents an
individual ward while the Mayor is elected by a vote of the city-at-large.
Councillors have a dual role, as they are members of Council (decisions
affecting the whole city) and members of the Community Committees (local community issues).
City Council exercises its powers either by by-law or resolution passed
at a regular or special meeting when a quorum is present.
City Council meets at least once a month on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chamber, Council Building, 510 Main Street. Council sets the Schedule of Meetings for Council
and its Committees, usually in November or December of the preceding year. Special Meetings are not
uncommon. The conduct and procedures followed at Council and Committee Meetings are set forth in
The Procedure By-law,
and in accordance with the provisions of
The City of Winnipeg Charter.
Pursuant to the Charter, Council has the authority to establish committees
of Council and Council may, by by-law, delegate a power, duty or function to a committee of Council.
The authority to make final decisions on the following matters remains
with Council and cannot be delegated to any political or administrative level below Council:
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authority to enact a by-law;
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authority to approve an operating or capital budget;
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authority to appoint, suspend or dismiss a statutory officer; or
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authority to enter into a collective agreement in respect of employees.
In addition to the Charter providing governance and direction to the City
and its elected officials, Council passed
The City Organization By-law.
on October 29, 1997. This By-law provides for the governance and administrative structure
of the City. The By-law also delegates certain powers and responsibilities from City Council to Executive Policy Committee,
the Standing Committees and the Chief Administrative Officer.
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Last update: 2009/01/16
