Inquiry into Winnipeg police headquarters project opens at Public Utilities Board
Posted September 11, 2025 10:17 am.
The long-anticipated inquiry into the procurement and construction of the Winnipeg police headquarters began this morning at the Public Utilities Board, marking the start of a detailed examination.
Five phases will run from Feb. 10 to June 18, starting with a look at the redevelopment project, then the money trail.
“It will look at the money that the city of Winnipeg laid out, who it went to, and what a forensic accountant has to say about the money the city laid out,” said Heather Leonoff, legal counsel to the public inquiry.
The inquiry will also examine the City of Winnipeg’s policies and practices, including recommendations for change.
It aims to restore the taxpayers’ confidence in the city’s ability to tackle major projects; after the Winnipeg police headquarters came in $79 million over budget, and a Court of King’s Bench decision found the city’s former CAO accepted a nearly $330,000 bribe from the owner of the construction company chosen for the project.
Lawyers for former city CAO Phil Sheegl, Caspian Construction, and former mayor Sam Katz will all be at the table when phase one begins in February.
Katz was found to have gotten half the bribe money but was not accused of any wrongdoing in the 2022 suit. Both are expected to testify – and can be compelled to do so through the inquiry. As for other potential witnesses, that list is not yet set.
“I have to whittle down who’s the right witnesses, what’s the best way to tell the story, if you will, so as I do that, prior to the phases beginning, I will give you a pretty accurate indication of who will be testifying,” said Leonoff.
AAR, an Ottawa-based engineering firm that also worked on the project, applied for funding to participate in the inquiry, but commissioner Garth Smorang denied that request Wednesday morning, stating the for-profit engineering firm should spend its own money to defend its reputation.
Smorang is expected to give his full written report on the findings by 2027.
