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City Hall abuzz over dinner introduction
Last Updated: March 29 2006 08:47 AM CST
An encounter between two of Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz's political aides, Premier Gary Doer, and a potential civic election candidate is raising eyebrows at city hall.
The incident happened at a fundraising dinner, when two of Katz's political staff and an acquaintance, Scott Fielding, approached Doer.
The aides introduced Fielding to Doer as a candidate in this fall's civic election in the St. James ward.
The news caught Coun. Jae Eadie off guard – he's held the St. James seat for more than 25 years.
"It was just unusual," Eadie told CBC News. "Usually this doesn't happen with the mayor's political staff. They don't usually get involved in ward issues. They work for the mayor."
City hall has been buzzing about the incident, with some councillors saying they've heard rumours the mayor or his supporters are recruiting candidates for the next election to shore up Katz's position on council.
Eadie says the involvement of the mayor's office did make him wonder.
"It certainly left the impression that the mayor was condoning this – anybody would think that," he said. "I understand the premier has thought that. I've heard from others that he indicated that he was quite surprised by this."
Katz says his aides were simply being polite by introducing Fielding to the premier, and their introduction should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Fielding's candidacy. He says the situation has been discussed with the aides involved.
Katz says neither he nor his supporters are putting together a slate of candidates for the next civic election, scheduled for Oct. 25, 2006.
Coun. Eadie has spoken with Katz. He says he's willing to take the mayor at his word – and he will now focus on getting re-elected this fall.