Brian Bowman promises more scrutiny of mayor's office expenses

Winnipeg's mayor has pledged to introduce new and more stringent rules governing his office expenses within weeks after his inner circle ignored a similar move proposed by Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie.

City council's executive policy committee voted Wednesday to shelve an Eadie motion calling for the mayor's office expenses to be broken down into the same categories as council expenses.

Mayor Brian Bowman said while he appreciatedthe spirit of Eadie's motion, the city clerk's department is already working on a similar policy. It will be finished before the end of 2016, the mayor said.

"We're going to continue to find ways to improve openness and transparency at city hall, including in my office. We're doing our best and we have more work to do," Bowman said.

• Eadie wants more scrutiny of mayor's-office spending

Council voted in 2014 to beef upscrutiny of the mayor's office expenses. Bowman said that vote took place before he was elected.

Eadie said the mayor has been stalling and should not have taken two years to comply.

"It's all talk. Let him talk. We'll see if it actually happens," Eadie said.

Bowman also challenged Eadie to follow his own lead and disclose gifts under $200. Eadie said he would if he had the resources in his ward allowance budget.

"I don't get that many gifts. I did a speech at William Whyte School. Should I report I got a little package of chocolates and a card that said 'Thank you for coming and telling us what a political career is?'"