Winnipeg Councillor John Orlikow Condemns Mayor’s BIZ Award to Ramsey Zeid, Urges Mayor to Act
Winnipeg – Winnipeg’s political landscape is witnessing escalating controversy as Councillor John Orlikow, Deputy Speaker of Winnipeg City Council and representative for River Heights/Ft. Garry Ward, has joined Councillor Sherri Rollins in demanding that Mayor Scott Gillingham rescind the Mayor’s BIZ Award presented to Ramsey Zeid, the West End BIZ recipient.
In a formal statement, Councillor Orlikow expressed deep concern over the decision to honor Zeid, whose social media history includes inflammatory posts that many in Winnipeg’s Jewish community and beyond view as promoting discord and intolerance. Orlikow emphasized the fundamental purpose of the Mayor’s BIZ Awards:
“The city’s role, and the role of the Mayor’s BIZ Awards, is to foster relationships between the City and business groups in the community.”
He continued:
“It was a mistake that those who approved the award did not recognize the divisiveness of allowing Mr. Ramsey Zeid to accept as the West End BIZ recipient due to his inflammatory posts. It was a poor decision allowing a person to receive the award whose opinions have inflamed discord and intolerance in the community.”
Councillor Orlikow highlighted that Zeid’s actions run counter to the award’s mission:
“His actions have run counter to what the award is meant to promote, to ‘make Winnipeg’s neighbourhoods and our City a better place to live, work and do business’.”
Orlikow confirmed he has personally reached out to Mayor Gillingham to address the issue and is awaiting a response.
The controversy deepened after a video linked to Ramsey Zeid and shared by the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM), of which Zeid is president, came under active investigation by Winnipeg Police. The video features a masked individual wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh calling for a global “intifada” and encouraging disruptive, potentially non-peaceful actions against Zionists. It labels Israel as a terrorist entity and uses derogatory language toward supporters of Israel.
City police confirmed the video is being examined by the Major Crimes Unit Hate Crime investigators amid community concerns that it incites violence and hatred. The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and local officials have expressed alarm over the video’s content and its potential to inflame tensions.
Councillor Sherri Rollins was the first city official to call for the award’s rescission, highlighting the harm caused by elevating voices that sow division rather than promote unity. She specifically pointed to the video, which portrays Jewish and Zionist individuals as enemies to be “dealt with,” and emphasized that while free speech is important, it carries consequences when it incites hatred and violence.
Councillor John Orlikow’s public support of this position strengthens the call for accountability and signals a growing political will to address and rectify the situation.
Jewish community leaders have welcomed the councillors’ stance, emphasizing the crucial role of municipal leadership in fostering a culture of respect and safety for all residents. They stress that awards and honors should reflect values of tolerance and community cohesion, rather than amplify voices that threaten these principles.
The controversy surrounding Ramsey Zeid’s award, coupled with the ongoing police investigation into the video he shared, highlights the complex challenges Winnipeg faces in balancing free speech, community safety, and the fight against antisemitism and hate speech.
In response, community leaders and councillors continue to urge Mayor Gillingham to rescind the award and send a clear message that divisive rhetoric and incitement have no place in Winnipeg’s civic honors.
Ramsey Zeid has denied the accusations that he endorses violence, calling the claims “entirely false and misleading” and stating that he is seeking legal advice.
This article is based on verified information from official statements by Winnipeg city councillors, community organizations, and credible media coverage regarding the Mayor’s BIZ Award controversy.