Conflict of Interest and Community Outrage Grow After Mayor’s BIZ Award Presented to Ramsey Zeid Amid Police Investigation
The controversy surrounding the Mayor’s BIZ Award presented to Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM), has taken a troubling new turn following the award ceremony.
Councillor Markus Chambers, who is not only a city councillor but also the Chair of the Winnipeg Police Board and Vice Chair of the Human Rights Committee of Council, personally presented the award to Zeid’s business, FoodFare Maryland.
This development raises serious concerns about a potential conflict of interest and the message it sends to the Winnipeg Police Service, which is actively investigating a video linked to Zeid’s organization that allegedly contains antisemitic and inciting content.
Councillor Chambers’ Dual Leadership Roles Heighten Conflict Risks
Chambers’ involvement in presenting the award is far from a minor procedural detail. As Chair of the Winnipeg Police Board, he oversees the police service responsible for investigating the video that has sparked outrage within Winnipeg’s Jewish community and beyond.
The video, circulated on CPAM’s social media channels, features masked individuals calling for violent “intifada” actions and demonizing Jews and Israel, raising alarms about incitement to hatred and violence.
New Hamas video calls for a new level of terrorism for Canada and the USA. Very dangerous. pic.twitter.com/NvkS545qLX
— Israel Now (@neveragainlive1) May 19, 2025
Simultaneously, Chambers serves as Vice Chair of the Human Rights Committee of Council, a body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights within the city. This committee’s mandate includes addressing hate crimes and ensuring community safety and equity, areas directly impacted by the allegations against Zeid’s organization.
Holding these two roles places Chambers at a critical nexus of law enforcement oversight and human rights advocacy. Presenting an award to a business owned by a figure under police investigation for antisemitic incitement risks creating a perception, if not a reality, of compromised impartiality and ethical governance.
It raises the question of whether Chambers can objectively oversee or influence police investigations related to the award recipient, given his public endorsement.
FoodFare’s Sponsorship of Winnipeg Police Half-Marathon Adds Another Layer of Complexity
Further complicating the situation is FoodFare Maryland’s role as a sponsor of the Winnipeg Police half-marathon, an event closely associated with the police service. This financial and promotional relationship between the award recipient’s business and the police service introduces a potential conflict for the Major Hate Crimes Unit investigators.
Investigators tasked with examining antisemitic and inciting content linked to FoodFare’s owner may find their work overshadowed by the sponsorship ties. This sponsorship could be seen as creating a subtle pressure, whether direct or indirect, on police personnel to moderate their actions or public statements, undermining the integrity of the investigation.
Community Leaders and Councillors Demand Accountability
Jewish community leaders, city councillors Sherri Rollins and John Orlikow, and numerous residents have voiced strong opposition to the award, citing Ramsey Zeid’s inflammatory rhetoric and the threat it poses to community safety. Councillor Rollins, a self-declared Zionist and vocal critic of the award, has called for its rescission, highlighting the dangers of honoring someone whose social media presence normalizes hatred and violence.
As of this writing, at least one other city councillor has formally written to Mayor Scott Gillingham expressing concern over the award. The mayor’s office has attempted to distance itself by stating the award was given to the business, not the individual, but this distinction has done little to quell the controversy.
The Broader Context: Rising Antisemitism and Community Safety
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of rising antisemitism both locally and globally. Recent reports from organizations like the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and CyberWell have documented alarming increases in antisemitic incidents and the normalization of radical, violent content online. The Winnipeg Police Service’s investigation into the CPAM video is part of a broader effort to combat hate speech and protect vulnerable communities.
The Mayor’s BIZ Award, intended to recognize businesses contributing positively to their neighborhoods, has instead become a flashpoint, exposing deep divisions and the urgent need for responsible leadership. The involvement of Councillor Chambers, who holds significant influence over the police service and human rights initiatives, intensifies calls for transparency and ethical governance.
Past Ethics Issues Amplify Concerns
These concerns are heightened by Councillor Chambers’ previous ethics controversies. In 2024, he was found to have violated the city council’s conflict of interest rules by voting on matters involving a personal friend and former campaign manager, leading to a formal reprimand and calls for a public apology. He has also received a verbal reprimand from the Winnipeg Police Board for breaches of its code of ethics.
Such history underscores the need for heightened scrutiny and calls into question Chambers’ ability to navigate complex conflicts of interest impartially.
What This Means for Winnipeg
The decision to have Councillor Markus Chambers present the award to Ramsey Zeid sends a troubling message to the Jewish community and all residents concerned about safety and justice. It risks undermining public confidence in the impartiality of the police investigation and the city’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
Community advocates urge Mayor Gillingham and city council to reconsider the award and ensure that honors reflect values of tolerance, respect, and unity, not division and hate.
This article is based on verified information from official city statements, police investigations, community advocacy groups, and credible media sources regarding the ongoing Mayor’s BIZ Award controversy and related community tensions.