Commitments to strengthen political oversight at City Hall are a priority for Mayor Brian Bowman

Released: November 28, 2014 at 1:43 p.m.
Motions include: Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, commitment to United Way End Homelessness Strategy, and promises for a safer, stronger City

Winnipeg, MB - Today, as part of his pledge to strengthen City Hall under a new generation of leadership, Mayor Brian Bowman announced motions to restore quality control and accountability for EPC and councillors, commitment to partner to end homelessness in Winnipeg, and request the City's public service to report back on issues that will significantly improve our community.

Mayor Bowman introduced a motion to consider the creation of the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives - one his campaign commitments. The Office will be dedicated to policy analysis and development, political oversight, quality control, and by extension issues management, and will support the work of all EPC chairs and council committees, as well as deliver the mandate of the Mayor.

The Office will bring focus and accountability while delivering results, including by transforming how projects are managed and approved for the citizens of Winnipeg. The director and policy analysts will be the liaison between the elected officials and the public service, and work to restore boundaries between the two bodies. This Office is being created by consolidating positions and resources previously budgeted within the Office of Policy Development and Communications.

“For too long now, we have experienced a disconnect between the work we do collectively and the work Winnipeggers need us to do,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “I am confident that by creating this office and by consolidating existing positions, we can realign the efforts of Council and the Public Service and move forward on the priorities of Winnipeg, stronger, clearer, and more open than ever.”

Additional motions tabled for consideration include:

  • Endorsing United Way Winnipeg’s “The Plan to End Homelessness in Winnipeg”,
  • Request for Public Service to report back on establishing and mandating new lighting and landscaping standards for downtown surface parking lots to improve safety,
  • Request for Public Service to report back on Reviewing ways to incorporate artistic components in all new municipal capital projects, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous arts,
  • Request for Public Service to report back on exploring the cost and feasibility of creating an online co-ordination tool that will make scheduling community centre volunteers easier.

The motions will be considered at the Executive Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.

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