Bowman sworn in, announces executive policy committee members

Shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, Brian Bowman was sworn in as Winnipeg's mayor. Bowman announced the executive policy committee would be made up of six councillors, including:Coun. Jeff Browaty, Coun. Janice Lukes, Coun. Brian Mayes, Coun. Marty Morantz, Coun. John Orlikow and Coun. Mike Pagtakhan.

Browatywas appointedChair of Protection and CommunityServices; Lukes, the Acting Deputy Mayor, Chair of InfrastructureRenewal and Public Works; andMayeswas named Chair of Downtown Development, Heritage andRiverbank Management.

Pagtakhan will serve as Deputy Mayor,Morantzwill be sitting as Chair of Finance, andOrlikow will serve as Chair of Propertyand Development.

Devi Sharmawas voted in asPresiding Officer, with JennyGerbasiearning the Deputy Presiding Officer nod.

Bowman also announced the names of a six-member supportteamthat will be joining him in the mayor's office going forward. Most of this supportingcast was part of Bowman's election campaign team.

I have the utmost confidence in this team to deliver real results for Winnipeggers, all bring enthusiasm, practical skills and diverse attributes that will be a tremendous asset for the City, said Mayor Bowman in a release Tuesday night.

We discovered significant opportunities to improve how we can engage with citizens over the past several months and I am very excited to move forward and create a new way of operating at city hall.

'I've got a big job ahead of me': Bowman

Winnipeg's new mayor, Brian Bowman, saidhe hadbutterflies in his stomach as he and 15 councillors including seven rookies and eight returning members wereset to take the oath of office Tuesday evening.

The swearing-inceremony, which started at 8 p.m.,saw a break with tradition for city hall anda new acknowledgementof the city's aboriginal heritage.Bowman and the councillors metwith and received a blessing from an aboriginal elder.

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The blessing tookplacebehind closed doors. It wasconducted byelder Harry Bone of theKeeseekoowenin Ojibway Nation in southwestern Manitoba.

Bowman said he wanted to start off the new council with something positive and a nod to history.

"I'm excited for the city, and the excitement and the vibe that I've been getting since election night from Winnipeggers is really inspiring and it's motivating, and I know I've got a big job ahead of me," he told CBC News on Tuesday.

Even before being officially sworn in as mayor, Bowman said he's already feeling the weight of the job.

"There's going to be decisions I'm going to make that not everybody's going to agree with," he said.

"One thing I can assure everyone is that the best interests of the city is something that is constantly in my mind, and I'll be honest and just work as hard as I can."

Won't get to elect EPC members yet

There is anotherthinghe wanted to immediately change as wellto set a new tone at city hall, but he won't get the chance.

He wanted to start hisnew mandate byallowing city council to choose the members of the executive policy committee (EPC), but the city clerk's office has advised him rule changes are needed for that to happen rules that only the Manitoba government can change.

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That means Bowman, like previous mayors, was obligated to appoint councillors toEPCinstead.

However, thenew mayor and councillors will vote on a speaker and deputy speaker.

Thefirst full council meeting takes placeNov. 12.