Brain Mayes is out and Vivian Santos is in, as Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham announced an adjustment to his inner cabinet on Wednesday.
The executive policy committee is a cabinet-like body with councillors who head up city committees like public works and the police board, among others. The mayor serves as chair of the six-person committee.
It’s important to periodically refresh EPC to ensure it benefits from diverse viewpoints and experiences and representation from across Winnipeg, Gillingham said in a news release.
He said he looks forward to continuing to work closely with Mayes in his role as the councillor for the St. Vital ward.
In a statement emailed to CBC News, Mayes — who was the chair of the water and waste committee — said it was an honour and privilege to serve with three different mayors during his 11 years, five months, and 25 days on EPC.
He was first appointed as a rookie councillor by then mayor Sam Katz, and maintained the role under mayor Brian Bowman and later Gillingham, who was elected mayor in 2022.
Only former councillors Bill Clement and Jae Eadie served on the executive committee for longer continuous periods in the post-1993 era, Mayes said in his email.
“While I am proud of my accomplishments on EPC, and especially as water and waste [committee] chair, I must admit that I am frustrated that I will not be able to see through my work in modernizing our sewage treatment systems,” Mayes wrote.
“We owe it to today’s residents, and tomorrow’s children to do our part to clean our water and our lakes. With a supportive provincial partner, I am hopeful that the mayor and new committee chairperson will take action on this important file.”
Mayes offered congratulations to Santos, who has been the city councillor for Point Douglas since 2018. Gillingham has appointed her as chair of the community services committee.
Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood Coun. Evan Duncan, who had been the community services chair, will now chair the water and waste committee.
Three other councillors will remain in their current EPC roles.
- Coun. Janice Lukes as chair of public works.
- Coun. Jeff Browaty as chair of finance and economic development.
- Coun. Sherri Rollins as chair of property and development.
Lukes will also remain as deputy mayor, and Coun. Markus Chambers, who also chairs the police board, will continue as acting deputy mayor.
Coun. John Orlikow had also been a member of Gillingham’s cabinet but stepped away last year when he took temporary leave from city hall for health reasons. He is back in council but not in EPC.
Gillingham, in his news release, said his priorities for the executive committee over the next year include enhancing customer service, improving the city’s budget position, and accelerating construction of new housing to address the homelessness crisis and to qualify for significant federal infrastructure and transit funding opportunities.