Winnipeg, MB – Today’s Executive Policy Committee (EPC) meeting will mark the first votes cast via the City of Winnipeg’s new electronic Vote Information System (VIS).
“Today’s launch of electronic tracking of votes marks a significant step forward for transparency and accountability at City Hall,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “The foundation of accountability for all elected officials is an accessible record of what we stand for and with today's meeting, the City of Winnipeg is launching a new level of accountability that I look forward to seeing rolled out to Council and all Standing Policy Committees in the coming months."
When a vote is called, committee members will be prompted to enter a decision on their computer screens. Results are sent to the meeting chair, and registered within the VIS database. Vote record data will be available on Open Data once meeting minutes have been finalized and published on the Decision Making Information System.
The VIS will initially only be used for EPC meetings. Expansion of the system to other committee meetings will be determined at a later date.
“There is no data more valuable to residents than the decisions being made each and every day by the elected officials who represent them,” said Glen Cottick, the City’s Acting Chief Innovation Officer. “The Vote Information System, together with the Decision Making Information System and Open Data Portal, will serve as an important tool for promoting transparent governance at the City of Winnipeg.”
The Open Data Portal offers public insight into a wide range of City services and planning tools. Over 150 datasets are now available to be freely used, shared, and built on. For more information, visit data.winnipeg.ca.