Sherri Rollins resigns from mayor’s inner circle

Jeff Keele reports on the stunning resignation at Winnipeg City Hall.

Coun. Sherri Rollins is no longer a part of the executive policy committee.

Speaking Tuesday afternoon, Rollins said she resigned, noting there have been some major concerns lately at city hall.

“I believe that governance is a three-legged stool. The mayor’s office, the public service and city council. And I’m concerned about two out of three of those,” said Rollins.

“I’m concerned about the provision of information to council and I’m really concerned about the provision of information up through the public service to council.”

She said in her role on EPC and as the chair of the property and development committee, it was important that information was shared, not only so she is informed as a councillor but also to ensure Winnipeggers are informed about what is going on with the city.

“For transparency reasons, for reasons of governance, I withdrew my labour of the chair of property and development today. That transparency reason, the fact that Winnipeggers expect their council to know what’s what, is really critical.”

Rollins pointed to two main ongoing concerns with the city right now – still no decision on the next police chief, and no progress being made on the next CAO for Winnipeg.

“Through issues of transparency, through issues of teamwork on council, I’m just not seeing what Winnipeggers expect.”

Mayor Scott Gillingham confirmed on Tuesday that the two-term councillor announced her resignation from EPC to him via email.

Gillingham said Rollins did not provide a reason as to why she was resigning but did note he and Rollins have not seen eye-to-eye on the provincial strategy on homelessness.

“I want to thank the councillor for her years of service. It’s been great to work with her, and I appreciate all she has done on the executive policy committee,” said Gillingham.

“I am fully supportive of the provincial plan, and I know the city has been in dialogue with the province and is ready to respond and play our part to end encampments and get people into housing.”

When asked if the provincial strategy on homelessness played a role in her decision, Rollins said it didn’t.

Rollins noted the decision to resign has been coming, but ultimately Tuesday was the day she decided.