Winnipeg, MB - The existing Executive Policy Committee (EPC) membership is being maintained to build upon the many positive changes achieved over the last year while also continuing to manage the infrastructure needs of a growing city and ensuring fiscal discipline, Mayor Brian Bowman announced today.
“Over the last year, and over the last three years, we have achieved a lot as a Council,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “As a city projected to grow to one million people, we need to continue this momentum and continue working together to ensure our city maintains a strong fiscal position.”
“An important part of serving on EPC is demonstrating leadership and collaboration that transcends ward boundaries in the best interest of building a city we can all be proud of,” said Mayor Bowman. “I want to thank each member of EPC for all the work and commitment they have contributed to their portfolio of responsibilities. I certainly appreciate that sometimes it is challenging to balance ward priorities with city priorities, but all EPC members have been committed to building a unified city rather than focusing on regional divisions and differences.”
No changes are being made to the policy structure of EPC, and the committee chairs of each standing policy committee will remain consistent which include the following six members:
- Councillor Marty Morantz (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge): Chair of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works
- Councillor Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre): Chair of the Standing Committee on Innovation
- Councillor Scott Gillingham (St. James-Brooklands-Weston): Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance
- Councillor Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas): Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks
- Councillor John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry): Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development
- Councillor Brian Mayes (St. Vital): Chair of the Standing Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and the Environment
Continuing in the role as Deputy Mayor is Councillor Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry), and continuing in the role of Acting Deputy Mayor is Councillor Matt Allard (St. Boniface).
"These two leadership positions play an important role in promoting our city and building pride in who we are,” said Mayor Bowman. “I want to thank Councillors Gerbasi and Allard for serving in these roles over the last year. I look forward to working with them to continue building city pride, and I also look forward to working with Councillor Gerbasi in her national leadership role as President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.”
Remaining as Chair of the Winnipeg Police Board is Mr. David Asper.
“I want to thank David for his strong leadership so far as Winnipeg Police Board Chair,” said Mayor Bowman. “The Winnipeg Police Board plays a critical governance and civilian oversight role within the administrative structure of the police service, and is an important liaison between the community and the police service. David has already been able to demonstrate an incredible amount of decorum and professionalism in a relatively short period of time as Chair and I am pleased he is continuing in this role.”
Minor changes have been made to certain committee appointments and Council Liaison positions. Councillor Matt Allard will assume responsibility as Council Liaison for Labour Relations as well as Secretary of the End Homelessness Strategies. Councillor Scott Gillingham will assume responsibility as Council Liaison for Veteran and Military Affairs and becomes the second of two Council representatives to the Partnership of the Capital Region.
With these changes, committee membership and Council Liaison responsibilities will be composed of the following:
- Councillor Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry):
- Deputy Mayor
- Chairperson, Winnipeg Housing Steering Committee
- Secretary of Urban Indigenous Opportunities
- Councillor Matt Allard (St. Boniface):
- Acting Deputy Mayor
- Liaison for Intermodal Connectivity
- Council Francophone Liaison
- Secretary of the End Homelessness Strategies
- Council Liaison for Labour Relations
- Councillor Scott Gillingham (St. James-Brooklands-Weston):
- Council Liaison for Veteran and Military Affairs
- Council Representative to the Partnership of the Capital Region
- Councillor Brian Mayes (St. Vital):
- Council Liaison for School Board and Youth Opportunities
- Councillor Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas):
- Councillor Responsible for Assiniboine Park Conservancy
- Council Liaison for Project Management
- Councillor Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre):
- Council Representative for the United Nations Women Safe Cities Global Initiative
- Councillor Janice Lukes (St. Norbert):
- Council Representative to the Partnership of the Capital Region
- Councillor Shawn Dobson (St. Charles):
- Council Representative for the Mayor’s Age Friendly and Senior’s Advisory Committee
“I want to thank Councillor Schreyer for his time serving as Secretary of the End Homelessness Strategies,” said Mayor Bowman. “Homelessness is a significant challenge for cities across Canada including Winnipeg. By elevating responsibility for this policy area to the Acting Deputy Mayor, we strengthen our focus at the political level on ending homelessness at a time when the federal government is poised to make significant investments in this area. As well, with this change, we will be better positioned to leverage the leadership of Councillor Gerbasi as President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities who is also Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of the Winnipeg Housing Steering Committee.”
"It’s been an honour to serve as Winnipeg’s Mayor over the last three years,” said Mayor Bowman. “I look forward to working with members of EPC and all Councillors as we continue to move Winnipeg forward.”