WINNIPEG – Several damning audits involving questionable, and often controversial City of Winnipeg real estate transactions and construction projects, are now being reviewed by the RCMP.
The material includes five years worth of real estate deals, the firehall land swap and the new downtown police headquarters.
The RCMP say they will review the material, and launch a further investigation if that review reveals more questions than answers.
Council voted to pass the audits onto the province last month.
“We want to restore trust and we want to get to the bottom of whatever happened,” said Fort Rouge City Councillor Jenny Gerbasi, “The truth needs to come out, whatever the truth is.”
Allegations of preferential treatment towards some developers and a lack of oversight on major projects have plagued the city’s administration for two years.
Friday the head of Shindico – the company involved in several of the transactions under review – told Global News he has no concerns. “It should bring closure to the city,” said CEO Sandy Shindleman.
Charleswood councilor, and mayoral candidate, Paula Havixbeck called it a “good day for the citizens of Winnipeg.” But she also hopes the RCMP review will go farther than any of the audits did, by interviewing key players.
With files from The Canadian Press
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