Public hearing urged over public works allegations

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This article was published 19/02/2022 (1039 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Allegations of financial mismanagement by the City of Winnipeg’s public works department have caught the attention of Coun. Scott Gillingham (St. James), the chairman of the city’s finance committee, who called on Sunday for a public hearing.

The allegations were brought to light by an ongoing Free Press investigative series – Red Light, Green Light, No Oversight – based on the findings of independent researcher Christian Sweryda.

“The initial allegations by researcher Christian Sweryda and published in the Winnipeg Free Press are very concerning. We must ensure we are getting the maximum result every time we spend a taxpayers’ dollar,” Gillingham said in a written statement.

“Providing the citizens of Winnipeg and our many visitors with the vital infrastructure required to move around our city smoothly is a top priority. When problems with infrastructure spending are raised, addressing those issues must also be a top priority.”

Sweryda has been studying traffic-related issues in Winnipeg for more than a decade. His initial research and advocacy largely focused on safety concerns, but more recently he began to look at the spending practices of the public works department.

He believes his findings show a pattern of unnecessary and frivolous work projects, with considerable costs to taxpayers but little practical benefits. The Free Press shared Sweryda’s findings with subject-matter experts, who all came away concerned by the implications of his work.

Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), who chairs the public works committee, has already called for an audit into the department’s transportation division. He plans to formally move a motion calling for the audit at the Riel Community Committee on Wednesday.

In the statement, Gillingham acknowledged that Allard chairs the public works committee and has called for an audit, but said he believes the city’s finance committee is the “appropriate body” to lead a hearing into the allegations.

“Transparency is very important in light of the allegations of waste and haphazard decision making,” Gillingham said, adding that it’s important to get answers before the upcoming construction season.

“Taxpayers deserve the best form of accountability we can provide.”

Gillingham indicated a desire to have Sweryda present his findings to the public hearing. Afterwards, department staff would have the opportunity to respond.

The Free Press investigative series Red Light, Green Light, No Oversight continues with Part 2 on Tuesday.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe