The Manitoba government is launching an inquiry into the construction of the police headquarters in Winnipeg — a project that ran over budget and was the subject of lawsuits and a police probe.
The government has appointed lawyer Garth Smorang to find ways to restore public confidence in the city’s large-scale construction projects.
As the inquiry commissioner, Smorang is tasked with looking at the actions of former elected officials and senior employees of the City of Winnipeg.
The city purchased a Canada Post building in downtown Winnipeg and converted it into a new headquarters for the Winnipeg Police Service.
Get daily National news
The project ran $79 million over budget on its completion in 2016, and led to a lawsuit by the city against its former chief administrative officer.
There was also an RCMP investigation that, after five years, concluded with prosecutors deciding not to lay charges, citing an unlikelihood of conviction.
The NDP government has budgeted $2 million for the inquiry, which is to wrap up in 2027.
“Taxpayer dollars need to be spent transparently and Manitobans deserve to know the truth,” Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said in a press release Tuesday.
- Toronto airport expansion plan won’t be released during consultations: port authority
- Ford government signs $200M contract to build 5-storey parking garage at Ontario Place
- Ottawa condemns Russia’s threats against firms in Canada-Ukraine drone deal
- Calgary police increasing patrols at CTrain stations in city’s south
“An inquiry into the police headquarters project will help restore public trust and confidence, and its recommendations will ensure best practices are used to prevent similar mistakes from being repeated.”
-
![]()
Manitoba looking to launch inquiries into pandemic response, Winnipeg police headquarters fraud allegations -
![]()
EPC votes to approve police HQ lawsuit settlement -
![]()
Judge rules former Winnipeg CAO Phil Sheegl accepted $327K bribe and city owed $700K -
![]()
City lawyers ask for $1.2M more to chase possible $24M in Winnipeg police HQ fraud case -
![]()
Winnipeg squares off with businesses and contractors in court over over-budget police headquarters -
![]()
City of Winnipeg looks for information with suit over police headquarters -
![]()
City of Winnipeg takes legal action in police headquarters scandal
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.