Transcona residents call on Coun. Russ Wyatt to step aside after being charged with sexual assault | CBC News
Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Some Transcona residents say their city councillor should take a leave as he faces criminal charges, arguing the situation is already affecting his ability to represent the community.
The Winnipeg Police Service announced this week that Coun. Russ Wyatt has been charged with sexual assault and administering a drug with intent to aggrieve or annoy.
Wyatt has not answered questions from reporters, instead directing media to his lawyer, who says the longtime councillor is innocent and intends to defend himself in court.
The charges have prompted calls from Mayor Scott Gillingham and several members of council for Wyatt to take a leave while the case proceeds. Some of the people Wyatt represents are echoing that message.
Lisa Webinger, a Transcona resident, says while she believes in the principle of the presumption of innocence, the seriousness of the allegations makes it unrealistic for Wyatt to do his job effectively.
“He needs to step down immediately,” she said. “I just don’t think he’s going to have the capacity to put the focus on the residents of Transcona the way they deserve to be represented.”
Webinger says even basic interactions between a councillor and residents could become complicated while Wyatt is dealing with a criminal case, noting he has already declined to answer questions publicly.
She said she also worries the situation could become a distraction at city hall, taking attention away from council business.
Other residents expressed a mix of frustration, disappointment and caution.
Steve Lipischak, who ran for council in 2018 and again in 2022, described the news as a “gut punch.”
“We deserve better,” he said, adding he believes Wyatt should step away to deal with the charges.
Todd Mitchell, another resident, called the allegations “despicable” but emphasized Wyatt is still entitled to due process.
“Innocent until proven guilty, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Mitchell said, adding Wyatt stepping back temporarily “might not be a bad idea.”
Janet Johnson also said Wyatt should follow the mayor’s advice and take a leave from council.
“You’re in the public eye,” she said. “Just step back, let it resolve and see what happens.”
This is the second time Wyatt has faced a sexual assault charge. Police arrested him in 2018 after a woman accused him of sexual assault. That charge was later stayed.
Under the City of Winnipeg Charter, council cannot remove an elected official from office unless they are convicted of an offence carrying a maximum sentence of five years or more.
That means Wyatt can continue serving and could also choose to run in the municipal election scheduled for October.
Webinger says she hopes voters will take a closer look at who they choose to represent them moving forward.
“We need to demand a little bit more and demand a little bit better,” she said.
After their city councillor was charged with sexual assault this week, some residents in Winnipeg’s Transcona ward say he should step away from council as the case moves through court, while others stress he is presumed innocent.