New mayor names five to new EPC
Mayor Scott Gillingham has named a slightly smaller inner circle than previous mayors as he vowed to reach out to all Winnipeg city councillors who weren’t included.
On Wednesday, Gillingham (elected Oct. 26) appointed five councillors to join him on the executive policy committee, each of whom will lead a standing policy committee.
The appointees include Couns. Jeff Browaty (finance and economic development), Janice Lukes (public works), Brian Mayes (water, waste and environment), John Orlikow (community services), and Sherri Rollins (property and development).
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Scott Gillingham appointed Janice Lukes as deputy mayor and to EPC (public works).
Coun. Cindy Gilroy, who endorsed Glen Murray for mayor, was replaced by Rollins.
During the recent election campaign, Gillingham promised to reduce the size of EPC, to six members from seven, to address complaints the previous group had far more power and access to information than non-EPC councillors.
Lukes will also serve as deputy mayor. Coun. Markus Chambers is no longer on EPC and will serve as Winnipeg Police Board chairman and acting deputy mayor.
Gillingham has also promised to ban the so-called “EPC+2” practice, through which former mayor Brian Bowman named a deputy mayor and acting deputy mayor who don’t sit on EPC, in addition to the seven EPC members.
Critics claimed it created a voting block of nine council members, which allowed the mayor to easily win key votes among council’s 16 members.
While Chambers is not on EPC, Gillingham noted his total number of key appointments still reaches just seven, a minority of council votes.
Gillingham expects the EPC changes will force him to collaborate more extensively with all council members to get new policies and projects approved.
Credit: New mayor names five to new EPC
