Sam Katz's last council meeting as Winnipeg mayor 'bittersweet'

Wednesday was a special day at Winnipeg city hall, as it was the last council meeting for Mayor Sam Katz, who is not seeking re-election and is leaving politics. 

• Sam Katz not running for re-election as Winnipeg mayor

First elected in 2004, Katz was known for his close ties to the business community. He leaves city hall after a number of controversies over real estate deals.

• City fire hall land swap, police HQ audits to be reviewed by RCMP
• Sam Katz looks back on decade as Winnipeg mayor

"It's bittersweet. It's hard to leave something that you've enjoyed and you're getting things done," he told reporters.

​During a short speech before council business got underway, Katz said he recognized there were days where they didn't all sit on the same side of an issue, but he told councillors he had nothing but respect for each and every one of them.

"I have considered it an honour to have served with each member of council," he said, noting he's worked with some councillors for eight years. 

"I want to wish everyone the best in whatever endeavours they are seeking."

Katz said he regrets the way in which a controversial fire hall land swap was handled, but he added that the rewards of being mayor far outweigh anything negative.

Infrastructure improvements noted

Katz said council made many accomplishments under his leadership, including a number of improvements to recreational facilities and other city infrastructure.

"We have, you know, built new community centres, renovated new ones, built libraries, renovated libraries, swimming pools — new ones, renovated them," he said.

"We never had any spray pads, not one, when I was elected. We now have 15."

He also pointed out that Investors Group Field and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights were completed during his tenure as mayor, and he pushed for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

Katz said he hopes Winnipeg continues to rebuild.

"My hope and my dreams is that the next council continues to move this city forward and make it attractive and modern so our young people stay here and more young people come back," he said.

"That's been my goal from day one."

4 councillors also say goodbye to city hall

Katz wasn't the only one saying goodbye to municipal politics. Coun. Dan Vandal is leaving his St. Boniface seat to run for the federal Liberals.

• Dan Vandal takes run at federal politics as Liberal candidate

St. Norbert Coun. Justin Swandel is stepping away from municipal politics as well and is looking at opportunities in real estate and development work.

• Winnipeg city Coun. Swandel rules out re-election bid

St. James Coun. Scott Fielding is hoping to move on to politics at the provincial level, after getting the nomination to run for the Progressive Conservatives in Kirkfield Park.

• Former Winnipeg city councillor gets nod to run for Tories

Tuxedo-Charleswood Coun. Paula Havixbeck is one of seven candidates in the running for the mayor's job. To do that, she had to forgo running for another term as councillor.

• Coun. Paula Havixbeck enters Winnipeg mayoral race

The remaining councillors are running for re-election Oct. 22. 

Day of goodbyes includes serious issue

But before the day of goodbyes ended, council had a stack of motions to go through, including one calling for national inquiry for missing and murdered aboriginal women. 

• Councillor urges Winnipeg to back inquiry into murdered, missing women

The motion, which was introduced by Vandal, was passed by council. Coun. Jeff Browaty was the only dissenting vote.