City to nix ‘chief’ from titles

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This article was published 08/10/2020 (1297 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg has removed the word “chief” from some of its key job titles due to concerns from the Indigenous community.

Mayor Brian Bowman said interim chief administrative officer Mike Ruta made the changes recently.

“If you speak to some in our Indigenous community, some don’t appreciate the term ‘chief’ being used,” said Bowman. “In terms of our journey of reconciliation, it’s ongoing. We are going to look for ways that we can do better. (Ruta) is someone who has demonstrated time and time again that he’s trying to be as progressive as possible.”

The mayor confirmed opposition to using the term “chief” is mainly linked to concerns about cultural appropriation.

However, some city positions will continue to include the word, since it is required under the city’s charter, Bowman said.

As of Sept. 28, the changes mean the four chief operating officers of animal services, golf services, fleet management and the parking authority are now instead considered general managers.

The city’s chief innovation officer, as well as its chief asset and project management officer, will be referred to as directors.

Winnipeg’s chief administrative officer and chief financial officer will keep their titles, due to charter rules.

Meanwhile, the local police chief and fire-paramedic chief will also maintain their titles, since they are “historical titles that exist across the country,” said Felicia Wiltshire, the city’s communications director. 

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga