Accountability at City Hall
During my four-year term as your City Councillor, I’ve worked with Council and Administration to strengthen accountability and transparency at City Hall. Accountability and transparency are two of the principles that guide public sector governance as well as integrity, stewardship, leadership, efficiency and customer service.
Bill 64 Education Modernization Act
My speech regarding Motion to Council Mme Speaker, Firstly – City of Winnipeg Councillors have the lowest office resources in all of Canada – I want that on the record. When you have the lowest office resources in all of Canada, you have to be very very selective on...
Apologies for Delayed Response Time
Thank you media for covering this important issue: CBC: Councillor Ward Funding Winnipeg Free Press: Councillor Ward Funding COVID-19 is bringing many challenges to Councillors’ offices: Challenges, calls & inquiries related to service delivery (partial openings...
Communicating with Residents in a Pandemic
Pivot seems to be the word of the year when speaking about anything pandemic related! I find not being able to attend events, or have in person meetings has dramatically shifted the way residents and I are able to communicate. I guess we can say ‘technology’ has saved...
City Fitness Facilites
Photo Credit: S. Nason I’ve been receiving many phone calls / emails regarding the City’s Workplace Fitness Facilities being allowed to remain open when all other gyms have been closed. There is a fitness facility located in the basement of City Hall, and while I’ve...
Winnipeg CAO search continues
Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for covering this important issue. Winnipeg CAO search continues By: Joyanne Pursaga Posted: Jan 28, 2021 More than 18 months after the City of Winnipeg’s last chief administrative officer left the job, the role is still being...
SKATING on RETENTION PONDS
Residents have been asking about skating on retention ponds. The beautiful ponds/lakes behind our homes or near neighbourhood parks. Please read this carefully: There are 44 retention ponds in the Waverley West Ward. These ponds are part of the land drainage system...
City councillors still feeling left out after lost motion
Photo Credit: Kevin King / Winnipeg Sun All Councillors are elected to represent the citizens of the ward. I strongly believe poor decisions are made - that negatively impact tax payers - when only almost half of Councillors are restricted from receiving pertinent...
Amber Flashing Lights, Leadership & Governance
Photo Credit: Brett Purdy/CBC The loss of a $1.7M gift of amber flashing lights is representative of a far greater problem at City Hall. This is just one example of many that has resulted in a negative impact on the tax payer. (list below) In my short time at City...
IMPACT FEES UPDATE
Residents are contacting me wondering what is happening with the refunding of impact fees charged on new home builds. Again, had the Mayor done proper due diligence back in 2016 – and not ‘rammed’ this fee in – we wouldn’t be in this position. You can well imagine,...
Search for new City of Winnipeg CAO passes one-year mark, could still take months: councillor
Photo Credit: Jeff Stapleton/CBC Thank you to CBC Manitoba and Sean Kavanagh for covering this very important issue: Search for new City of Winnipeg CAO passes one-year mark, could still take months: councillor Sean Kavanagh · CBC News · Posted: Sep 04, 2020 The...
Call for Action: Weathering the Storm – without a Chief Administrative Officer
Photo credit: Suzanne Pothe Call for Action: Weathering the Storm – without a Chief Administrative Officer Every City in the world is going through rough times. Covid-19 is requiring cities to deliver services in a manner never seen before. There is no certainty,...
City Hall Negotiates with Starlight
I use my website pages to primarily post information about LOCAL neighbourhood issues / concerns & activities. The main stream media does a good job of covering ‘City Hall’ issues for people interested in larger City issues. But in this blog, I would like to...
Starlight – Portage Place Motion
My speech at Council on July 23, 2020: Madame Chair I’d like to move layover of this item & both motions till our September council meeting - to allow proper scrutiny of the motion before us. I’m must say – watching this entire debacle is giving me...
Fiscal Responsibility – Southwest Rapid Transit
For the past few weeks, since we’ve entered this new realm of COVID-19 , I’ve shared my concerns about implementing high frequency transit delivery vs a reduced service of the new Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor with the Mayor, CAO and Chair of Finance. Now I’m going...
Mayor’s Budget Working Group
The City of Winnipeg is attempting to develop four years of balanced budgets – a multi-year budget. This is the first time the City is proposing to develop a balanced budget for four consecutive years (2020-2023). The Mayor has selected eight Councillors to work on...
The Mayor and his Executive Policy Committee +2
When Mayor Bowman speaks about ‘openness and transparency’ at City Hall - please reflect on this article, to accurately understand what ‘open and transparent’ means under this leadership; weekly behind closed doors briefings confidential information from department...
Access Denied: Expanded EPC
Photo Credit: MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for covering this important issue. Access denied: expanded EPC puts councillors, citizens outside looking in, Lukes says By: Aldo Santin Posted: 12/20/2019 6:44 PM...
Your Input on Multi-Year Budget Planning
For the first time ever City Council will be attempting to develop balanced operating and capital budgets for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Over the past few weeks we have read about many proposed cuts to City services. As I and 6 other Councillors are not members of...
Closures-Amalgamation of Fire Halls in Report Not Being Made Public
In September, 2016 the City awarded a $186,000 contract to consulting firm Emergency Services International to produce a ‘Standards of Response Coverage’ report. See: Fire Hall in Waverley West This report is identifying industry best practices in the field of...
Operational Improvements to 311
Thank you to CTV for this in depth interview. SEE CTV News I know we can improve on the 311 Call Center interactions with residents seeking service or information. I’ve been working with a variety of the public service staff over the years to make improvements. I’ve...
City Council Committees 2019 – 2020
See larger version of chart here Today (November 6th) in accordance with Section 57.3 of the Procedure By-law No. 50/2007, the Organizational Meeting of Council was held at 9:30 a.m. The Mayor selected and appointed the Deputy Mayor, Acting Deputy Mayor and members...
Unanimous Support – Winnipeg City Council Unanimously Opposes Quebec’s Bill 21
Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for covering this very very important issue. Winnipeg mayor, councillors condemn Quebec religious symbols law By: Aldo Santin Posted: 10/24/2019 4:50 PM Members of city council voted unanimously Thursday to condemn...
‘It’s like whack-a-mole’: How cities are grappling with unsafe rooming houses
(Photo Credit: John Einerson/CBC) Thank you to Katie Nickoson and CBC National for this very comprehensive report on illegal rooming houses. 'It's like whack-a-mole': How cities are grappling with unsafe rooming houses At least 532 rooming house fires across Canada...
Councillor Lukes & Nason seek Council Support Opposing Quebec’s Bill 21
Today – Councillor Nason and I met with media and community - to discuss our motion regarding Quebec’s Bill 21. See media release below: Media Release Councillors Shawn Nason and Janice Lukes are bringing forward a Notice of Motion to the October 24th, 2019 Council...
Governance Review at a Snail’s Pace
I don’t believe the 20 year old governance model the City operates under is serving the taxpayers well. I am hoping the City will complete the governance review and recommendations by 2020. October 26, 2016: Councillors Wyatt and Eadie brought forward a motion to...
Internal Operations & City Leadership
I recently asked for a status update on the hiring of Winnipeg’s new Chief Administration Officer (CAO) and would like to share some thoughts with you on this important role. As you may be aware, this past June, the former CAO announced his retirement in February,...
When a Candidate Comes Knocking on YOUR Door . . .
The Provincial election is September 10th and the Federal election is October 21st. There are many candidates knocking on doors looking for your support and there are many many issues to discuss! When a candidate comes knocking on your door, I encourage you to...
‘City fires six property department employees in wake of internal probe’
Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for covering this important issue. City fires six property department employees in wake of internal probe By: Aldo Santin Posted: 07/19/2019 3:03 PM City hall hummed and hawed Friday, but eventually confirmed six...
‘Trust has left the room’
Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for covering this very important issue. Following the July 15th Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development meeting, it is still unclear when the report will become public. You may recall I requested a Public Report...
Planning department disciplinary measures fall short of ‘root of the problem’: lawyer
Thank you to the Winnipeg Free Press for covering this very important issue: Planning department disciplinary measures fall short of 'root of the problem': lawyer By: Aldo Santin Posted: 07/10/2019 7:00 PM Last Modified: 07/10/2019 10:33 PM A lawyer...
Open Letter To Premier Pallister
Mr. Premier, I am calling on you to take action and take action fast. Winnipeg’s economic engine is in a state of chaos. As a Councillor, and as part of a group of Councillors who do not control the majority of votes, I am asking you to accelerate your review and...
May 11th – City Hall Open House for Waverley West
This is an invitation exclusively for residents who live in the Waverley West ward! Bring your family and join neighbours, friends and Councillor Janice Lukes for a tour of City Hall! Learn what City services are available to you, and how to ‘get action’ on important...
Civil Service Needs Overhaul
Thanks to the Winnipeg Free Press and reporters Ryan Thorpe, Aldo Santin and Larry Kusch for covering this important issue. Councillors call for change in wake of work culture investigation By: Ryan Thorpe Posted: April 17, 2019 City councillors are...
Bulletin #4 Employee Conduct Investigation
Provincial Involvement I don’t often share letters from levels of government, but I feel this is a very significant letter with a message that will ultimately have a positive impact on taxpayers: Letter from Minister Wharton to Mayor and City Councillors This...
Bulletin #3 Employee Conduct Investigation
April 16, 2019 - Speaking in support of Item 5: Employee Conduct Investigation, to Mayor and Executive Policy Committee I want to thank Councillor’s Gillingham and Klein for supporting my motion at Assiniboia Community Committee, and would like to elaborate a...
Special Bulletin #2: To The Residents Of The Waverley West Ward & City Of Winnipeg
RE: Allegations against staff in the property Planning and Development Department Since the allegations came forward last Thursday (April 4th, 2019) I’ve had the opportunity to speak with both the Manager, Development and Inspections and the Director of...
Special Bulletin
To The Residents Of The Waverley West Ward & City of Winnipeg The Winnipeg Free Press has printed an incredible story “City inspectors caught on camera” in today’s April 5th issue: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/…/sloth-in-the-city-plann… Please know I...
Symbolic Budget Vote For Councillor Equality
City Council passed the 2019 Operating and Capital Budget on March 20th. Two thirds of Council did not support the budget. I did not vote to support the budget but instead cast a symbolic vote against the budget to raise awareness on the critical need for ‘Councillor...
Statement On 2019 City Of Winnipeg Budget Process
Today Councillor Klein and I called a press conference with media to express our concerns with the City of Winnipeg’s 2019 Budget Process. You can read my statement below – and read Councillor Klein’s statement. I must say, it is virtually impossible to ensure an...
Boundaries Of The Waverley West Ward
Winnipeg is growing at a rapid pace, and every 10 years or so, the City conducts a review of the ward boundaries to ensure fair and equitable representation for residents. Boundaries changed for many wards, some wards were combined and some were split. There are still...
Explanation for Missed Water Treatment Plant Lawsuit
This has been a very difficult file in seeking accountability. Not for one second do I believe that in eight years, there was no ability for the Public Service to bring forward a formal report to any Committee informing Council that there were catastrophic failures at...
City’s First Integrity Commissionaire and a revised Code of Conduct
I’m very pleased to have supported the hiring of Winnipeg’s first ever Integrity Commissioner and to have played a role working with the Integrity Commissioner and members of Council to develop the revised Code of Conduct for Councillors. I would like to thank...
The Challenging Road in Seeking Accountability
In the last three months at City Hall, I’ve found myself at the forefront seeking accountability on two multi-million dollar files: $30M Missed Lawsuit on the Deacon Water Treatment Plant Confidence in the Chief Administrative Officer Both of these files involve the...
Confidence in the City’s Chief Administrative Officer
Confidence in the City's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) has come into question again with the handling of the Wilkes Avenue Alignment to William R. Clement Parkway Extension file. There has been extensive media coverage on this issue. I am highlighting my major...
Towards Democracy at City Hall – Report from Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives MB
MEDIA RELEASE: The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives MB will release its report "Winnipeg Free for All: Towards Democracy at City Hall" on Wednesday, November 1, 2017. The release will take place at City Hall, in the court yard, at 10 a.m. NOTE FROM COUNCILLOR...
Presentation to Mayor & Executive Policy Committee: $30 Million Missed Lawsuit re Deacon Water Treatment Plant
Following revelations about the City legal department missing the deadline to file a $30M Statement of Claim with respect to deficiencies at Winnipeg's Deacon Water Treatment Plant, I spoke to the Mayor and his Executive Policy Committee on October 11, 2017. See...
Opening Portage & Main – How Councillors Receive Information to Make Decisions
City Councillors have been provided with only 7 business days to review multiple reports on the Opening of Portage and Main, a multi-million $$$ initiative: Winnipeg City Council will vote on this report in 7 business days on Wed., October 25, 2017 The timeframe and...
Motion Requesting Details: Failure to Meet Legal Deadlines re Deacon Water Treatment Plant
On September 18, 2017, City Council received a 45-minute briefing on the City's failure to meet deadlines regarding legal claim(s) involving the Deacon Water Treatment plant and compensation for deficiencies in the design and/or construction of the plant. Following...
Facilitating Better, Well Informed Decisions at City Hall
On June 21, 2017, my Motion requesting administrative reports be available publicly a minimum of four business days before Committee meetings was debated at the monthly City Council meeting. Ultimately, my Motion passed, but the Public Service will first be studying...
Poor Decision Making Process at City Hall – Time to Fix
Poor Decision Making Process at City Hall - Time to Fix Councillors pressured into making multi-million dollar decisions in condensed time frames Office of Councillor Lukes - Media Release - June 19, 2017 Councillor Lukes is calling to change the amount of time...
Information Sharing – Problem Solving & The Cost to Taxpayers
At the May 24th meeting of City Council, I brought forward a Motion requesting the opportunity to schedule a meeting with the City's Departmental Directors if I required additional information on a report prepared for discussion at a Standing Policy Committee...
Working Towards Making Positive Change
Honoured to Hold Position as Councillor By: Janice Lukes - South Winnipeg-St. Norbert City Councillor Ward Report Canwest Community News Posted: 05/23/2017 I was elected by the citizens of South Winnipeg-St Norbert to be your representative at City Hall and...
Responding to Your Phone Calls and E-Mails
There are peak times throughout the year when the volume of e-mails and phone calls our office receives between 60 to 100 each day! Spring is definitely ‘a peak time’ with people inquiring about many city maintenance issues. This high volume of inquiries, combined...
Seeking Accountability and Transparency at City Hall
"We are going to have a much more inclusive council than we’ve ever seen before," he said. - Brian Bowman at City Council Inauguration Meeting, November 4, 2014 (Winnipeg Free Press) "Mayor Brian Bowman abandoned a promise to change the way EPC members are...
Restricting Information to Select Members of City Council
Of all the blogs I’ve been writing since being elected in 2014, please find the time to read this one in detail. It highlights how information to make informed decisions on behalf of Winnipeg tax payers is being restricted at City Hall. I welcome your questions and...
Calling for a Civic Governance Review
WHAT IS GOVERNANCE? Simply put, governance* is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is: participatory consensus oriented accountable transparent...
People, Projects, Partners and Process
It's not about people, projects or development partners – it's about process. Process matters. Proper process determines comprehensive, solid, well-informed decisions and results. As a Winnipegger, I was actively engaged with issues at City Hall 14 years BEFORE being...
Civic Governance & Operational Review & Performance Assessment Motion
On October 26, 2016, Councillors Wyatt and Eadie brought forward to City Council a Motion speaking to Civic Governance, Operational Review and Performance Assessment: Civic Governance and Operational Review and Performance Assessment Motion Appendix A to Motion...
Expanded Disclosure for Employee Compensation (including overtime, severance, etc.)
I’m supporting Councillor Gillingham’s Motion enabling disclosure on how public funds are being spent: SEE MOTION. The Motion, which is being brought forward at the July 13th meeting of City Council by Councillor Gillingham and seconded by myself, is calling for an...
Internship Program – Councillor Janice Lukes
Internship Program: Office of Janice Lukes, Councillor for South Winnipeg–St. Norbert Ward, City of Winnipeg We are now accepting applications for our January–April, 2016 session Application deadline is December 12, 2015 The South Winnipeg-St Norbert Councillor...
Welcome to My Year in Review!
When I decided to run for City Councillor, I knew my years of experience working with community groups, levels of government, fund development projects, and business/community leaders in Winnipeg would be valuable in this role. A year later, I’m realizing this...
Mayor Strengthens Accountability and Capital Project Management
Demonstrating a continued commitment to increase accountability through greater openness and transparency, Mayor Brian Bowman today launched the Capital Expenditures Monthly Report, a new online tool that makes all active city infrastructure projects, with associated...
Setting the Foundation to Communicate Change
I encourage you to read this excellent and accurate article Dan Lett has written (Winnipeg Free Press - July 29, 2015). He especially hit the proverbial nail on the head with this comment: “Changing organizational culture is a difficult task. There are many people...
What are Councillor Ward Allowances & How Are They Invested Into The Community ?
Each year when the City of Winnipeg Capital and Operating budgets are approved, all City Councillors receive a Ward Allowance. The value of the Ward Allowance is the same – regardless of the size of population within the ward. The 2015 Capital Budget contained a...
My Actions to Improve Accountability and Transparency
I am aiming to improve accountability and transparency by: 1. Providing information to keep Winnipeggers fully informed (through my office, website, newsletters, social media, and working with other Council members to do the same); 2. Encouraging public participation...
