More money possibly coming to pay councillor's assistants
Winnipeg city councillors could be getting more money to pay their assistants and set up community offices.
A report at city hall says the turnover rate for councillor assistants is at 50 per cent.
The money that goes toward paying assistants comes out of the annual allowance for the ward – just under $85,000 - which is significantly lower compared to other cities in the country.
In Edmonton, the allowance is $176,984, $280,900 in Calgary and more than half a million in Toronto.
That money is also expected to be used to cover office supplies, furniture, business meals and other expenses.
Coun. Devi Sharma said she is lucky that she has had her executive assistant with her since 2015.
"There's been some of my colleagues, they've had seven assistants in the matter of a few years in one term," said Sharma.
The reason for the high turnover is mainly due to low pay, long hours, and councillor assistants aren't eligible for a pension.
"I'd like to hire a permanent (executive assistant), the challenge I have as I've done interviews, one gentleman said to me, 'I make more, Russ, driving a taxi,'" said Coun. Russ Wyatt.
But changes could be coming. Following a vote at the mayor's executive policy committee, consideration will be given in next year's budget for a dedicated fund to pay assistant salaries and vacation, and to provide them with a city pension.
"I'm open to an increase in funding to the ward allowances," said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
Money for a community office for councillors will also be considered. Right now, Sharma is the only member of council who operates one.
"I think it's a very good thing. It's difficult for folks to come meet with their councillor at city hall," said Sharma.
There is also a measure to increase the ward allowances to the rate of inflation but it's unclear how much all of this could cost.
The report says, on average, 62 per cent of ward allowance funding is spent on assistant salaries and benefits.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 'Oh my God, you're my brother': Manitoba man discovers six unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Canucks hold off Oilers for 4-3 win in Game 3
Brock Boeser had two goals and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks hung on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise's disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.