Right now at city council’s finance committee, some of the councillors are balking at a Winnipeg Police Service request for more money to cover off the budget for 2021. #wpgpoli
This happened in part because the city - with a push from Mayor Bowman - gambled and lost on an effort to reduce the payments into the police pension.
The city has no option but to say yes.
Coun. Rollins wants to see other options but the chief says there are not any.
Coun. Rollins wants to see other options but the chief says there are not any.
This is happening because of the confusing relationship between the WPS, the police board and the city.
The roles are unclear.
The board is supposed to oversee the police hit council writes the cheques.
The roles are unclear.
The board is supposed to oversee the police hit council writes the cheques.
Coun. Orlikow: “I’m not even sure who I’m talking to.”
Rollins says the police board chair shouldn’t be at the meeting, offering cover for the police.
Rollins doesn’t want Coun. Chambers to answer on behalf of Smyth.
Why am I tweeting this minutiae?
Police oversight in Winnipeg has been messy since Katz created the Winnipeg Police Advisory Board, which had no real power.
The NDP government then foisted a police board on the city, forcing the dissolution of the advisory board.
Police oversight in Winnipeg has been messy since Katz created the Winnipeg Police Advisory Board, which had no real power.
The NDP government then foisted a police board on the city, forcing the dissolution of the advisory board.
The police board initially came up with policies for the police, but those were rescinded after David Asper became chair and pared back the board to the powers it actually has under provincial legislation.
So now we have a board that can’t do much and a council that can’t do much.
Police oversight is arguably weaker than it was during the days when council had direct oversight.
Police oversight is arguably weaker than it was during the days when council had direct oversight.
Rollins: this is not about defunding police.
She says she wants to know what else police can do other than ask for more cash.
She says she wants to know what else police can do other than ask for more cash.
Levity from Coun. Schreyer, who is getting testy.
“Thirty five minutes and I haven’t said anything yet.”
“Thirty five minutes and I haven’t said anything yet.”
Now Schreyer is complaining Orlikow and Rollins get to speak more.
If you’re interested, here’s the request from police. clkapps.winnipeg.ca/dmis/ViewPdf.a…
Schreyer asked Smyth if he looked at non-viable options for budget cuts as well as viable ones.
Smyth: No, I did not bring forward non-viable options.
Smyth: No, I did not bring forward non-viable options.
Smyth: We have no viable options.
Schreyer suggests the police speak to the construction industry for advice.
Now Schreyer suggests corporate finance advise police on budget cuts.
Chief financial officer Catherine Kloepfer: I as the CFO can not advise the police how to spend their money.
Chief financial officer Catherine Kloepfer: I as the CFO can not advise the police how to spend their money.
Police finance officer stated the obvious: pretty tough to cut millions from the police budget for *2021* with a few weeks left to go in the year.
Orlikow complains he’s not even allowed to question Coun. Chambers and the police board.
Finance chair Gillingham: this committee is well within its right to ask questions.
The committee has voted to see if they can get more authority over police funding.
I have to run now. Sorry, folks.
Motion carries. Police get their money, 3-1. Rollins opposed.
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