Mayor Scott Gillingham wants to see changes to the city’s charter when it comes to elected officials facing serious charges or convictions. In a news release Thursday, Gillingham said he plans to ask council to request formal changes to the charter. Currently, a council member immediately forfeits their seat if convicted of certain crimes, but council does not have much power before a charge goes through the court process. “Being charged with an offence is not the same as being convicted, and politicians should never have an unrestricted power to remove another democratically elected representative,” Gillingham said in a news release. “But right now, the law gives us almost no middle ground. We need reasonable options that protect public confidence while also protecting due process and the democratic rights of voters.” This all comes after the mayor and other councillors called on Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) to take some time away after he was charged by police earlier this year. Wyatt was arrested and charged in March for sexual assault and administering a noxious thing. Winnipeg police said Wyatt allegedly gave a man an illicit drug in December 2025 during a meetup and then sexually assaulted him. Following those charges, council unanimously voted to remove Wyatt from seven city committees and boards. More charges were laid against Wyatt on Monday, related to an alleged incident in October 2023. Police said Wyatt and another man he met online went to home in the southwest part of the city. While there, it’s alleged the man was given an illicit drug and sexually assaulted. Wyatt was released on an undertaking. Evan Roitenberg, Wyatt’s lawyer, has previously said Wyatt is innocent. Gillingham is proposing that council formally request the province undertake a “cross-jurisdictional review” of how other Canadian municipalities and provinces handle these circumstances. He said the review would look at updating which criminal convictions should disqualify someone from holding office, as well as temporary measures — such as administrative leave — for councillors facing serious charges before their case is resolved. It would also review eligibility rules for candidates facing serious charges at election time. Gillingham said any changes would need strong safeguards, such as requiring two-thirds council approval for temporary restrictions, along with periodic reviews of any new measures. He plans to introduce a notice of motion at September’s council meeting, which would allow the newly elected council to consider the proposal when it takes office in November. Premier Wab Kinew said Thursday his government is open to working with municipalities on changes to the charter after the fall election. Wyatt has not yet registered to run in the upcoming fall election. Candidates have until Sept. 22 to register. With files from The Canadian Press
