{"id":908359,"date":"2026-09-24T22:08:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T22:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/908359\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T22:08:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T22:08:11","slug":"russ-wyatt-winnipeg-mayor-introduces-motion-to-change-citys-charter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/908359\/","title":{"rendered":"Russ Wyatt: Winnipeg mayor introduces motion to change city\u2019s charter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham put forward a motion Thursday to request the province make changes to the city\u2019s charter, amid the sex assault allegations against councillor Russ Wyatt.<\/p>\n

Those changes would give city council the power to place a member on leave of absence if they\u2019re facing criminal charges.<\/p>\n

Under the city\u2019s current charter, councillors are only removed from office for criminal offences after a conviction.<\/p>\n

The motion comes just days after Wyatt announced he is seeking re-election in Transcona<\/a> despite facing two sexual assault charges in separate alleged incidents from October 2023 and December 2025.<\/p>\n

The councillor, who has maintained his innocence, referred CityNews to his lawyer when asked to comment Thursday. Attorney Evan Roitenberg did not immediately respond.<\/p>\n

\"\"Councilor Russ Wyatt at Winnipeg City Hall. (Eddie Huband, CityNews)<\/p>\n

The motion, brought forward by Gillingham and councillor Cindy Gilroy, also asks the province to review the list of serious criminal convictions and specified circumstances that disqualify someone from holding municipal office.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn many jobs, if someone is facing criminal charges, they\u2019re put on leave, maybe with pay,\u201d Mayor Gillingham said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have that ability here. I think that is reasonable, other jurisdictions do it, so I would like to see the province look at this and make the changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

BACKGROUND: Winnipeg councillor Russ Wyatt facing new sex assault charge<\/a><\/p>\n

Last month, Winnipeg police announced Wyatt was facing a new sex assault charge for an alleged incident from 2023. He was charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, the Transcona councillor was charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with intent to aggrieve or annoy in connection with a separate alleged incident from last December.<\/p>\n

In both instances, police allege Wyatt met a man on social media, then met him in person at a Winnipeg home, and allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted him.<\/p>\n

The allegations against Wyatt have not been tested in court.<\/p>\n

Gillingham has repeatedly spoken out against Wyatt seeking re-election in Transcona against the backdrop of the charges. On Thursday, the mayor said his position \u201chas not changed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe matters before the councillor are extremely serious,\u201d he said. \u201cI believe the councillor should step aside and deal with the matters that are before him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The motion will be voted on at the first council meeting following the Oct. 28 municipal election. If passed, it will be in the hands of the province.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe premier is very aware of what\u2019s going on and very aware of the motion that is being brought forward, and the intent,\u201d Gillingham said.<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

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