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
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Centre Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs hasn't been ruled out of tonight's Game 7 against the Boston Bruins.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.