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City of Winnipeg Governance Review

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Consultation has concluded.

Introduction

From 2019 to 2021, the City of Winnipeg undertook a review of its governance structure and processes. Governance is all about leadership and responsibility for the City to the citizens of Winnipeg. It includes understanding citizen needs and making decisions in the best interests of the City.

The City of Winnipeg is building a City Hall that works through openness and transparency, where elected officials and staff collaborate and work toward the best interests of residents. The City’s governance structure and systems should support these goals.

The legislation and by laws that guide governance of the City of Winnipeg were established following the last comprehensive review of the City’s governance system in 1997. MNP is conducting a review of the City’s governance structure, by-laws and processes to consider ways the current model is effective and how it may be improved to further enable responsible and accountable governance. At the conclusion of the review, MNP will provide a set of recommendations for improvement and how the existing legislation, by-laws and policies would need to be updated to accommodate the recommendations.

Background

The governance review included a review of current documentation, legislation and by-laws, interviews with Members of Council, and City staff and a scan of governance structures and processes in other Canadian cities. A preliminary report of findings was developed based on this information.

Public input was an important component of the governance review. The topics for exploration with the public focused on these key principles:

  • Inclusivity – Citizens have a fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in decision-making processes
  • Transparency – Information is openly available, easy to access and understand
  • Accountability – Council ensures effective oversight and responsibility for the performance of the city, including appeal processes
  • Efficiency – Timeliness and effective use of resources by Council and its committees
  • Effectiveness – Council ensures the City achieves desired results and addresses citizen priorities
  • Impartiality – Decision making is unbiased and considers the best interests of the city.

Introduction

From 2019 to 2021, the City of Winnipeg undertook a review of its governance structure and processes. Governance is all about leadership and responsibility for the City to the citizens of Winnipeg. It includes understanding citizen needs and making decisions in the best interests of the City.

The City of Winnipeg is building a City Hall that works through openness and transparency, where elected officials and staff collaborate and work toward the best interests of residents. The City’s governance structure and systems should support these goals.

The legislation and by laws that guide governance of the City of Winnipeg were established following the last comprehensive review of the City’s governance system in 1997. MNP is conducting a review of the City’s governance structure, by-laws and processes to consider ways the current model is effective and how it may be improved to further enable responsible and accountable governance. At the conclusion of the review, MNP will provide a set of recommendations for improvement and how the existing legislation, by-laws and policies would need to be updated to accommodate the recommendations.

Background

The governance review included a review of current documentation, legislation and by-laws, interviews with Members of Council, and City staff and a scan of governance structures and processes in other Canadian cities. A preliminary report of findings was developed based on this information.

Public input was an important component of the governance review. The topics for exploration with the public focused on these key principles:

  • Inclusivity – Citizens have a fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in decision-making processes
  • Transparency – Information is openly available, easy to access and understand
  • Accountability – Council ensures effective oversight and responsibility for the performance of the city, including appeal processes
  • Efficiency – Timeliness and effective use of resources by Council and its committees
  • Effectiveness – Council ensures the City achieves desired results and addresses citizen priorities
  • Impartiality – Decision making is unbiased and considers the best interests of the city.

Consultation has concluded.

  • Next steps following the Governance Review

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    On January 27, 2022, Council accepted the Governance Review Final Report and referred the Report to all Community Committees for their review. Council also directed the Public Service to implement recommendation 1 in the report (“Develop a formal orientation process that includes documented Roles and Responsibilities for Members of Council.”) and report back with information regarding the implementation of recommendations 2 to 15.

    On February 9, 2023, the Governance Committee of Council accepted the feedback from Community Committees and the report from the Public Service and recommended to Council that the Governance Committee be tasked with further reviewing the Governance Review Final Report within 180 days, in order to determine recommendations for implementation.

    Council will consider this recommendation on February 23, 2023.

  • Summary of feedback and recommendations now available

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    A summary of feedback from the Governance Review engagement process and the appendices are now available.

    In addition to information gathered through public engagement, the consultant also considered the findings of the Preliminary Report (current state and comparison with other Canadian cities) to inform the consultant’s report of recommendations to improve the City’s governance structures and processes.

    An administrative report with recommendations for the City’s governance will be presented to the Executive Policy Committee (EPC) on January 19, 2022. If you would like to appear as a delegation, please contact the City Clerk's Department by noon on January 18, 2022.

  • Public engagement closed

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    Thank you to all those who participated in the City of Winnipeg Governance Review public engagement process.

    We heard from you between January 11 and February 19, 2021.

    You told us about your experiences, provided ideas and gave feedback on the City's governance processes and structures through an online survey (over 900 participants), an online ideas tool (55 contributions), virtual public events (36 attendees), virtual focus groups with representatives of 21 community and business groups and eight written submissions.. We also had over 3,800 visitors to this webpage.

    All of the feedback received will be compiled and considered in MNP's Final Governance Review Report of Recommendations to Council.

  • Public engagement begins

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    January 2021

    The Governance Review is under way and we would like your feedback on governance of the City of Winnipeg.

    Learn more:

    Provide your individual feedback:

    • Take the survey [link]


    Provide feedback on behalf of an organization or group:


    Participate and learn from others:

    • Answer questions/add your ideas [link]
    • Attend a virtual event - Each session will include a brief presentation and facilitated break-out discussions:
    Date: Thursday, January 28
    Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
    Location: Zoom - COMPLETE
    		 Date: Monday, February 1
    Time: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    Location: Zoom - COMPLETE
    Date: Wednesday, February 3
    Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
    Location: Zoom - COMPLETE
    		 Date: Tuesday, February 9
    Time: 7 p.m. to 8.p.m.
    Location: Zoom - COMPLETE

    In-person events were originally planned; however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the City is hosting virtual public engagement events.

    The City will also be collecting feedback from a representative sample of Winnipeggers through a brief telephone survey in March 2021.

    In addition to public engagement, we are also collecting feedback by meeting with representatives of groups with an interest in:

    • business,
    • planning and development; and
    • community well-being