Winnipeg department director absent over 'HR matter'

Winnipeg's public works director has been away from his office at city hall this week and officials can not say why.

The city's public works department sent councillors and senior managers daily emails this week informing them ofthe absence of Lester Deane, a14-year city employee who has led his department since January 2016.

"I can't comment because it's an HR [human resources]matter," public works chair Marty Morantz(Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge) said via telephone, apologizing he could offer no further comment. "The answer itself is some information."

Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt asked for more information about Deane's whereabouts.

"All members of council as well as the citizens of Winnipeg deserve to know the status of one of our most important directors," Wyatt said in a telephone interview, calling on Mayor Brian Bowman and chief administrative officer Doug McNeil to address the issue.

"Uncertainty is not a good thing,especially for a city that has the kind of infrastructure problemsWinnipeghas."

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Deanedid not immediately respond to requests for comment. Winnipeg communications director FeliciaWiltshire said he remains employed by the city.

Late last year, Deaneand Bowman wound up at loggerheads over the time it would take to plan and implement the reopening of Portage and Main to pedestrians.

On Nov. 29, Deane said it would take approximately two years to plan and implement the work. The next day,Bowman, told reporters the public works director's"statements were inaccurate" and suggested Deane was not up to speed on the file.

Bowman made the reopening of Portage and Main a campaign promise. As recently as last year, Bowman saidhehoped the intersection could open in time for the Canada Summer Games this July. That is no longer a possibility.