Bowman proposes ban on councillors' booze expenses

Winnipeg's mayor wants to make sure there are no financial ripples when city councillors choose to tipple.

Brian Bowman brought a motion to Wednesday's executive policy committee meeting that would make alcohol an ineligible expense for members of city council.

"There's no need for taxpayers to pick up the tab for alcohol purchased by elected officials, regardless of whether it's purchased for a reception, as a giftor during a business lunch meeting," Bowman said in a statement before the meeting.

Executive policy committee voted unanimously to approvethe motion, which still faces council approval.

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After the vote, Bowman said he has no idea how much money councillors spend on alcohol using taxpayer funds and suggested his move is more about changing the culture at city hall than it is about saving money.

"Is this going tosave millions of dollars? No. But I just think on principle, it's not an appropriate use of taxpayers' funds," the mayor said.

Bowman also said his move had nothing to do with any particular councillor.

Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt, whoclaimed more business-meeting expenses than Winnipeg's 14 othercity councillorscombinedin 2016, said he supports the mayor's move.

Bowman proposes ban on councillors' booze expenses

7 years ago

Duration 1:40

Winnipeg's mayor wants to make sure there are no financial ripples when city councillors choose to tipple. Brian Bowman brought a motion to Wednesday's executive policy committee meeting that would make alcohol an ineligible expense for members of city council.