Winnipeg Coun. Scott Gillingham, considered a top contender in this fall’s mayoral race, has stepped away from his executive positions at City Hall, relinquishing his role as Chair of the Finance Committee of Council and his seat on Executive Policy Committee.
“We thank Coun. Gillingham for his service and his dedication to the complicated task of setting City budgets to meet the rising demand and pressure for services, in the face of constrained financial resources,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said.
“Coun. Gillingham has strategically managed that task with integrity and acuity for the past five years, but his insight and skill have been especially valuable in the past two years, navigating the challenges of the pandemic.”
Gillingham brought in Winnipeg’s first, multi-year balanced budget, 2020-2023. The balanced financial plan was credited with helping the city to manage the steep drop in revenues triggered by the economic shut-down, without significant impairment to service delivery.
It is expected that Gillingham will officially announce his candidacy for the mayoralty in this fall’s election. Mayor Brian Bowman has said he will not seek another term.
In Gillingham’s place, Bowman elevated Coun. Jeff Browaty to Chair of the Finance Committee. Browaty has been serving as Chair of the Innovation and Economic Development Committee; Coun. Markus Chambers was named successor to Browaty as Chair of that committee. This means Chambers is a member of the Executive Policy Committee now.
“Both Coun. Browaty and Chambers have worked hard for the city in their roles on City committees and I’m very pleased they are now assuming higher-profile roles,” Lorenc said.