John Gillingham, a candidate in Winnipeg's mayoral race, announced on Monday that he intends to create a chief growth officer position for the city. The proposal, presented to Winnipeg city staff and the City Council, aims to place a single senior official in charge of economic development and to facilitate coordination with neighboring municipalities.
The suggested chief growth officer would serve as a dedicated leader for growth initiatives, providing guidance to council decisions that affect the local economy. By centralising responsibility for economic strategy, the role is intended to fill a gap that city officials say currently exists; Winnipeg does not have a senior official whose sole focus is on economic development.
Gillingham's plan calls for the new officer to work closely with city staff, ensuring that development projects align with broader municipal goals. The position would also act as a liaison with surrounding municipalities, promoting regional collaboration on issues such as infrastructure, investment attraction, and workforce development.
City Council members have been briefed on the proposal, and discussions are expected to continue as the mayoral campaign progresses. The candidate argues that a chief growth officer would give Winnipeg a clear point of accountability for economic performance and help the city respond more swiftly to opportunities and challenges.
The call for a dedicated growth leader comes amid ongoing conversations about how Winnipeg can strengthen its economic base and compete with other centers in the province. While no timeline or budget details have been released, the proposal signals a focus on structured, coordinated economic planning as a central theme of Gillingham's campaign platform.