Winnipeg mayor removes EPC’s longest serving member, Brian Mayes

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Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham has removed Councillor Brian Mayes from the Executive Policy Committee. Mayes was the longest-serving EPC member and this amounts to a significant shake-up within the city’s political landscape and marks a pivotal moment in Mayor Gillingham’s administration.

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Councillor Mayes, who has served on the committee for almost 11 and half years, is known for his extensive experience and contributions to the city’s policy-making processes.

Mayes described his time on EPC as productive.

“After 11 years, 5 months, and 25 days, my run on the Executive Policy Committee has come to an end, with only Bill Clement and Jae Eadie having served for longer continuous periods in the post-1993 era,” Mayes said in a press release. “It has been an honour and privilege to have served with three different mayors, who have all had their own vision for our city and unique governance approaches. I am proud of the work that I have been able to accomplish while chairing various committees, and truly feel that I have been able to deliver not only for the residents of St. Vital, but also for our city.”

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Mayes also voiced concern mixed with hope over the city’s sewage treatment systems upgrade.

“While I am proud of my accomplishments on EPC, and especially as Water and Waste 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. 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. Frankly, we’ve waited too long to take action, and we need to show that we’re up to the job.”

Changes to Executive Policy Committee:

• Councillor Vivian Santos (Point Douglas) joins EPC as Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services.

• Councillor Evan Duncan (Charleswood – Tuxedo – Westwood) shifts to the role of Chair of Water, Waste and Environment.

• Councillor Janice Lukes (Waverley West) remains as Chair of Public Works.

• Councillor Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) continues as Chair of Finance and Economic Development.

• Councillor Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry) remains as Chair of Property and Development.

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Councillor Lukes will also continue to serve as Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Markus Chambers (St. Norbert) will remain as acting Deputy Mayor.

Santos was appointed to the police board in 2020, but never joined the board due to a failed police background check that disqualified her nomination.

At the time Santos said reports of her alleged connection to drug dealers had nothing to do with her work as a city councillor, adding she’d broken ties with the individuals.

“The only real connection I share with them is that we all come from the same community,” she said. “The same community that has experienced systemic racism and disproportionately high involvement in the justice system.”

Mayor Gillingham said, in a press release, his priorities for EPC over the next year include enhancing customer service, improving the City’s budget position, and accelerating the construction of new housing to address the homelessness crisis and to qualify for significant federal infrastructure and transit funding opportunities.

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“I would like to sincerely thank Councillor Brian Mayes for his dedicated service on EPC over the past 20 months,” Gillingham said. “Councillor Mayes is one of the longest-serving members of EPC in Winnipeg’s history and a strong advocate for the people of St. Vital. I look forward to continuing to work closely with him in his role as councillor.”

Mayes said that he’s now ready to work on other issues in his ward.

“Having enjoyed my time on EPC, I look forward to being able to focus on serving the residents of the St. Vital ward, who have put their faith in me since that snowy by-election in 2011. I truly enjoy the work in my ward, and look forward to building on 12.5 years of good work in the St. Vital ward.

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