Amaro Silva - Second Term

Second Term

Silva was re-elected over former New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Cyril Keeper in the 1995 municipal election. His primary concern in this campaign was public safety, while Keeper criticized Silva for having supported the bridge and arena proposals. Silva was appointed chair of the planning and community services community after the election, and also served on the civic executive policy committee. He generally voted with Mayor Susan Thompson and the right-wing of council.

In late 1995, Silva called for the federal government to reconsider its planned cuts to social assistance recipients. He later supported a law giving the city power to shut down massage parlours and other businesses that violate zoning bylaws, and unsuccessfully called for a youth curfew to reduce crime rates.

In 1996, Silva was one of Winnipeg's two negotiators in discussions with promoter Wayne Flett to set up "Music City Manitoba", a tourist destination planned for the downtown core. A tentative deal was announced in November 1996, although discussions later dissolved amid acrimony. The city wanted Flett to provide his financial records, while Flett argued that the city was assuming bad faith.

Silva was promoted to chair of the city's finance committee in March 1997. One day after his appointment, he oversaw the approval of a plan to give property tax rebates to new home owners. Later in the year, he introduced a plan that would have restricted discussions between city employees and the media. This plan was widely criticized.

Silva introduced a motion in October 1997 to radically reform the structure of city hall, including the hiring of a chief administrative officer and the dismissal of the four-member Board of Commissioners. The plan was strongly supported by Mayor Susan Thompson, and was passed without difficulty. The following month, Silva was reassigned as chair of the protection and community services, and was also appointed to a new expenditure management committee.

Winnipeg's community services committee granted a licence to an escort service in April 1998, even though councillor suspected (but could not prove) that it was a front for prostitution. Silva subsequently called for Winnipeg to be given the legislative powers to shut down escort services, massage parlours, pawn shops and related services.

Throughout his time on council, Silva complained that insurance firms were discriminating against residents of his ward.

Silva originally announced that he would run for mayor in the 1998 municipal election, but he withdrew months before election day. He instead sought re-election to council, and was defeated by Harvey Smith.