Mayes out of mayor's inner circle following shuffle

Mayor Scott Gillingham has shuffled his inner circle.

After more than 11 years on the executive policy committee, St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes has been removed from his role as chair of the water and waste committee.

"I do want to express sincere appreciation to Coun. Mayes," Gillingham said Wednesday.

Mayes has been part of EPC under three mayors; a lot of that time was spent as the chair of water and waste.

Gillingham said it was time for change.

"I think it's important from time to time to refresh the executive policy committee."

Mayes said he is frustrated he won't be able to finish work on the modernization of Winnipeg's sewage system, but he was not shocked by this decision.

"For whatever reason, it just didn't seem to go well with Mayor Gillingham," Mayes told CTV News.

"We did not do a single announcement together in the 20 or 21 months I was chair of the environment committee, so I think that tells you something."

Mayes has never been afraid to raise questions and was at odds with Gillingham over new housing rules making it easier for four-plexes to be built in residential neighbourhoods in order to qualify for millions of federal dollars.

"I don't know if there's more to it than that. I'd be speculating, but that was certainly the reason he gave.

Gillingham said every city department needs to think of itself as a housing department to combat the housing shortage.

"I do want members of council, certainly executive policy members, to be coming down on the same side of those issues," said Gillingham.

With the switch, Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood Coun. Evan Duncan moves from community services to water and waste, while Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos is getting promoted to EPC filling the community services spot.

The rest of EPC remains in their roles.