WINNIPEG – The revelation that retiring civic politicians are in for big severance payouts has sparked a war of words in the campaign for mayor.
Brian Bowman has vowed to scrap the “offensive” payments in the future, and rival Judy Wasylycia-Leis called his views “irresponsible.”
Global News reported Friday that Mayor Sam Katz and several councillors who are not running for reelection will get severance payments in the tens of thousands of dollars.
At a news conference Tuesday morning, Wasylycia-Leis said, “when I looked at the numbers, some seemed awfully high” but more research needs to be done on how best to compensate former politicians for their time in public life. She blasted Bowman for suggesting Friday that the severance system should be immediately scrapped.
“I think that’s playing games, that’s really irresponsible to leap to that conclusion when severance is part of the political system, when we haven’t done the research to see how we stack up,” Wasylycia-Leis said.
Bowman shot right back later Tuesday.
“Well if it’s part of the political system let’s change the system,” Bowman said. “I think it’s offensive to most Winnipeggers who work very hard and can not enjoy the same types of severances for jobs they choose to quit.”
In 2011, city councillors voted to award themselves three weeks salary for every year in office, up to a maximum of six months, when they left office.
Mayor Sam Katz, who chose not to run for reelection, could collect $88,000 in severance. Retiring St. Norbert Councillor Justin Swandel is eligible for more than $60,000 according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Retiring St. Boniface councillor Dan Vandal could collect $54,000, retiring St. James-Assiniboia councillor Scott Fielding could collect $54,000 and outgoing Charleswood-Tuxedo councillor Paula Havixbeck (who is running for mayor) is eligible for $22,590. She has promised to decline the payment if she’s elected mayor.
Both Bowman and Wasylycia-Leis have vowed not to accept severance payments if they are elected and later leave office.
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