WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Police Board is calling on the mayor to replace Councillor Jeff Browaty as its chair, following comments Browaty made in December.
“The Board feels that the relationship between its Indigenous Council and Councillor Browaty, who chairs our Board and its Indigenous Liaison Committee, is not conducive to a good working relationship,” read a letter to the mayor dated Feb. 6.
The letter is referring in part to comments the North Kildonan councillor made when he initially voted against an indigenous history training initiative.
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“There is a suggestion that half these sessions on residential schools be delivered on all civic employees, that means in my mind we will take away people to cut the grass, fill pot holes and other important civic services to attend these sessions on residential schools,” Browaty said on Dec. 14.
He later changed his tune, issuing a statement that said the training was important, adding “I unequivocally apologize if my comments offended anyone.”
The police board’s letter to Mayor Brian Bowman also said Browaty “does not exemplify the needs of the Indigenous community in Winnipeg.”
Global News has reached out to Browaty for comment. He is out of town but has said he’ll be releasing a statement later Tuesday.
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