Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman to propose reducing his salary

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says he's taking steps to cut his salary, as he promised he would do during this fall's election campaign.

Bowman says he will present a motion to the executive policy committee on Wednesday to reduce salary top-ups for EPC members, the speaker and deputy speaker by half, as well as reduce his own salary by an equivalent dollar amount.

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If those changes to the Elected Officials Compensation Bylaw are approved, Bowman said the salary reductions could save the city more than $100,000 annually.

The mayor also proposes reducing eligible councillor expenses and eliminating political payouts for municipal politicians who are not re-elected, whether it's because they don't seek another term or they lost their election races.

"Severance exists as a cushion for those who lose their jobs, for those who leave them and I believe most Winnipeggers don’t have jobs where when they quit they are rewarded with a hefty payout," Bowman stated in a news release Friday afternoon.

"On October 22nd, Winnipeggers were clear that they want to see political payouts end at City Hall and I remain steadfast in my commitment that I will never collect a severance payout on the backs of Winnipeggers, and will continue to do all I can to end this practice at City Hall entirely."

Bowman noted that after this fall's election, the eight outgoing members of council were entitled to receive, collectively, more than $400,000.