Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
WINNIPEG — Thinking for themselves and their constituents may have cost two city councillors their positions on the mayor’s executive policy committee.
Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman booted Councillor Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) and Councillor Janice Lukes (St. Norbert) from his inner circle during a shake-up on Thursday.
Lukes was also demoted from deputy mayor and lost her position as infrastructure committee chair.
The two councillors voted against the mayor’s proposed controversial development growth fee tax on Wednesday. Bowman says their votes were not reasons for their removal from EPC, even going as far as offering Lukes another position, to which she declined. (The motion was passed by city council 10-6 as developers in the gallery threatened legal action over the new levy.)
“I want to thank Councillor Lukes for all her time and commitment serving on EPC,” said Bowman. “I look forward to continue working with her on ways to move our city forward.”
Councillors Scott Gillingham (St. James-Brooklands-Weston) and Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) will replace them.
Browaty is also now chair of the Winnipeg Police Board, a position most recently held by Gillingham.
Councillor Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) has been named deputy mayor, but will not sit on EPC.
The new executive policy committee has the following six members:
- Councillor Scott Gillingham (St. James-Brooklands-Weston): Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance
- Councillor Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre): Chair of the Standing Committee on Innovation
- Councillor Brian Mayes (St. Vital): Chair of the Standing Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and the Environment
- Councillor Marty Morantz (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge): Chair of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works
- Councillor John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry): Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development
- Councillor Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas): Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks
