Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman stands by vow to cut severance

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman vows to continue with plans to eliminate severance paid out to civic politicians who quit or are defeated, despite protests from Coun. Ross Eadie.

Bowman told CBC's Information Radio that he discussed the issue with Eadie last week, and he's surprised Eadie is threatening now to never speak to him again.

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"He'sa very valuable member of council and I look forward to working with him,"Bowman said.

"But let's first and foremost call these what they are.I mean most Winnipeggers don't get a political payout and that's exactly what these are. When you choose to leave a job you typically don't get tens of thousands of dollars."

Severance payments to councillors and a cut in the top-up to committee chairs and members of executive policycommittee are on the table at Wednesday's EPC meeting.

"I owe it to the Winnipeggers who gave me the honour of serving as their mayor," Bowman said.

"I think councillors and the mayor are paid well by most standards and so you know, I'm there for public service, I'm not there to cash in."

The base salary for city councillors is $85,000. EPC members and the speaker receive an additional $30,000.Bowman wants to cut that top-up, including his own,in half.

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It's been nearly a month since Bowman took office. He said his biggest frustration is not being able to get more done.

"I want to get more done quicker and you know we are in early days and I'm really pleased with what we have been able to accomplish with council so far but I'd like to be able to move a lot quicker on a lot more items," Bowman said.