Police HQ report to be released Monday

Cost overruns ran the price tag for the police headquarters from an estimated $135 million to $214 million when it was completed in 2016. At least one city official took a bribe on the project, a judge ruled.

The province confirmed Friday the final report of the public inquiry into the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters will be released on Monday. The release will take place at a media conference with commissioner of the Winnipeg Police Service Headquarters inquiry Gareth Strong, scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

The $2.3-million public inquiry took place over 27.5 hearing dates between February and May. The city has faced myriad problems related to the WPS headquarters, a former Canada Post office building and warehouse at Smith Street and Graham Avenue, for more than a decade. An initial estimate put the project cost at $135 million. The price climbed to $214 million, including flood damage and security upgrades. The building was completed in 2016.

An external audit found the project was severely mismanaged, while a lengthy RCMP investigation into fraud and forgery allegations did not result in any criminal charges. The main contractor, Caspian Projects, paid a $28-million settlement for fraud and construction deficiency lawsuits this year. The city received a $1.15-million payment from former chief administrative officer Phil Sheegl, due to a court ruling that he accepted a $327,000 bribe from Caspian. Sheegl denied accepting a bribe before and during the inquiry.

Mayoral candidate Kevin Klein sent a letter to the province on Oct. 8 asking that the final report be released before the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 28.