Rookies prep for Councillor 101
The school for new city councillors is now in session. The election last week ushered in nine new councillors, the highest turnover since 1992, who will receive an enhanced training […]
Nine new councillors, the highest turnover since 1992, recently took their seats on city council. To help them adjust to their new roles, the city has launched a $5.77 per four-week training program called "Councillor 101." The program, which consists of 17 council information sessions over six weeks, aims to ease the pressure of a steep learning curve.
Mayor Scott Gillingham noted that the surge of new information is like trying to drink from a fire hose, but the formal structure of the sessions provides more organization to the learning process. Lora Meseman, a new councillor representing Transcona, appreciated the opportunity to ask questions as a group, as the consensus around the table on priorities was encouraging.
The training includes detailed orientation packages about municipal services and operations, as well as one-on-one training with city clerks. Former councillor Janice Lukes, who championed the expanded training during the last council term, praised the organization of the information sessions and the creation of a living, updated online portal called "Councillor 101" to provide new councillors with a comprehensive understanding of their roles.
Jeff Browaty, the city's longest-serving member, plans to attend future sessions to stay informed about each department's priorities and expects the transition to be challenging due to the fast-paced nature of the role.
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