Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman proposes lobbyist registry

Days after accusing Coun. Russ Wyatt of "partnering with lobbyists," Mayor Brian Bowman says he wants to create a lobbyist registry.

The mayor's office issued a statement Wednesday morning signalling Bowman intends to bring a walk-on motion to executive policy committee this morning, calling on the city to create a registry for people who lobby council.

"Lobbyist registries are an effective tool thatallows members of the public to clearly see who is attempting to influence government decision-makers and the reasons behind their efforts," Bowman said in the statement.

• Mayor accuses Wyatt of 'partnering with lobbyists' to disparage budget
• City hall seeks integrity commissioner to advise mayor, council

On Friday, Bowman emailed a letter to all of council, accusing Transcona Coun. Wyatt of joining forces with Manitoba Heavy Construction Association president Chris Lorenc in an effort to disparage Winnipeg's budget for next year.

Wyatt and Lorenchave both been critical of the city's plan to keep the road-renewal budget static at $105 million next year even though the city intends to raise an additional $11 million for roadwork in 2017 through a property-tax hike dedicated to this line item.

Wyatt and Lorenchave both denied they worked together.

The executive policy committee will also consider a motion today to allow council to meet in camera, or behind closed doors. A report to council says this would allow council to discuss the performance of the city auditor, but a draft bylaw would also allow council to meet in secret for other reasons.