Threats and harassment prompt security upgrades at Winnipeg City Hall
Security upgrades are coming to Winnipeg City Hall after councillors say safety is an issue, and current protocols to protect them fall short.
"It's concerning to me to see what some colleagues have gone through,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
City CAO Michael Jack says the city is adding a new security lead position. The individual will bring forward safety measures, focusing on the city hall campus, which includes the council and administration buildings.
"I need them to take an organization-wide look and really build something that I can call a comprehensive security program,” said Jack.
Jack says this has been in the works for some time. But it comes after a shooter, opened fire at Edmonton City Hall last week, and threw a Molotov cocktail. No injuries were reported.
Councillors in Winnipeg say they and their staff have been the subject of increasing threats and harassment. Markus Chambers says he’s received threatening letters.
“In my role as chair of the police board as well as the first Black city councillor," said Chambers
Councillor Sherri Rollins is calling for an external security review instead. She says she’s been calling for changes since May, because of stalking and other incidents.
“I'm talking about where it tips into criminal harassment where you do need a protection order,” said Rollins
Chambers says like the legislature and the law courts, it's time to install metal detectors at city hall.
"Where people are screened for whether it's edged weapons or guns," said Chambers.
Mayor Scott Gillingham is open to the idea.
"I'm not opposed to them but first I'd like to hear from the security lead,” said Gillingham.
Right now, councillors and staff have secure key card access to their offices. Councillor Rollins says they need a secondary emergency exit. She says her colleague, Councillor Janice Lukes, keeps a bat and hammer in her office desk, in case she needs to break a window to escape.
"We do not have the basics of what you need to exit, the basics of the tools that are working,” said Rollins
Case in point, councillors have panic buttons but some didn’t know they existed. CTV News was told Lukes tested one, and it took 15 minutes for someone to respond.
"Problems were encountered and identified and so for several weeks now we've had plans in place to upgrade those,” said Jack.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian Olympic Committee offers 'heartfelt apology' after New Zealand accuses Canada Soccer of spying
The Canadian Olympic Committee offered a 'heartfelt' apology to New Zealand Football Tuesday after the New Zealand women's club accused the Canadian women's team of spying on them during a training session.
Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
Pennsylvania state police commissioner reveals stunning details about Trump shooting
A local law enforcement commissioner revealed during a House Homeland Security hearing on Tuesday stunning new details about the security failures that led to the near assassination of Donald Trump, raising more questions for the embattled U.S. Secret Service.
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded, breaking global temperatures dating back to 1940, according to preliminary data from Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Clip resurfaces of Vance criticizing Harris for being 'childless,' testing Trump's new running mate
Comments Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made in 2021 questioning U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership because she did not have biological children have resurfaced, testing the young conservative senator in his early days campaigning as part of the Republicans' presidential ticket.
'Bigger than just the record': Football fan eyes world record for quickest visit to all CFL stadiums
A CFL super fan is two-thirds of the way into his record-breaking attempt to visit all nine stadiums in the Canadian Football League in 15 days.
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
'Stars are aligning' for Bank of Canada rate cut: economists
The Bank of Canada is expected to deliver a dose of interest rate relief Wednesday when economists and market watchers predict the central bank will cut its overnight lending rate.