Integrity commissioner approved by Winnipeg mayor's inner circle
City councillors to vote Dec. 9 on creation of new watchdog office
The creation of an integrity commissioner office for Winnipeg city hall has been approved by city council's executive policy committee.
The administrative report that recommends hiring an integrity commissioner will now go to a final vote by city council on Dec. 9.
The new commissioner's mission would include investigating, advising and educating members of city council on all matters relating to conflict of interest and behaviour of council, said a news release issued by Mayor Brian Bowman's office on Wednesday.
"Implementing an integrity commissioner will provide an open and accessible process to report perceived conflicts of interest with sitting councillors," Mayor Brian Bowman said in the release.
The office of integrity commissioner would be transparent, accessible and open, said the release, and will allow the public to report perceived conflicts of interest relating to city councillors.
Other municipalities in Canada have similar offices, including Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor.