Winnipeg, MB, July 8, 2022 – How can your government be trusted if no one is held responsible for the decisions they make?

After watching the details unfold about the highly unusual activities surrounding the construction of the Winnipeg Police Headquarters, mayoral candidate Rana Bokhari is pledging to lead a city council that is ethical, accountable, transparent and that policies to ensure these important values include true deterrents.

“Trust is at the core of democracy,” says Rana. “Elected officials are the chosen representatives of the people, and they carry the responsibility to protect that trust at all costs.

“That responsibility means making decisions that are transparent, free of conflict – including the perception of conflict – and with respect for the proper stewardship of public funds.”

Financially and ethically, the WPS HQ project needed significantly more oversight than what was in place.

While the city’s response was to make some improvements to protect against conflict of interest and created the role of Integrity Commissioner, this does not go far enough.

“From the outside, it appears that a small group of highly influential people were able to rush through a series of decisions that resulted in personal financial gain for them and their friends.

“This is not a city where it’s ok for different people to have different rules – where special interest groups get immunity from accountability.”

Mayor Brian Bowman and the current council have initiated legal action against many involved in the WPS HQ project.

Rana will see that lawsuit through and will continue to lobby the province for an official inquiry.

“As Mayor, I will direct a review of the city’s conflict of interest and comptrollership frameworks, with the goal of strengthening protections and putting in place penalties for unethical behaviour.

“Those frameworks need to reflect the relationship between elected officials and public servants – and need to define clear accountabilities that protect the city and our taxpayers.”

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For more information:

Elisha Dacey

Press Secretary to Rana Bokhari

204-290-8009

team@rana4wpg.ca