Winnipeg city councillors line up behind mayor on infrastructure priorities
There must have been some deal-making or arm-twisting over the lunch hour because when Winnipeg city councillors came back after the break, all 15 of them voted with the Mayor Brian Bowman on the list of infrastructure priorities that EPC signed off on Tuesday - with one condition.
Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry Coun. Jenny Gerbasi asked for and got support for an amendment that would allow councillors to have the final say on where city funding is spent and on the overall scope of the projects.
That means as it stands, the priorities are: Waverley Street, Marion Street, Chief Peguis extension, widening Kenaston Boulevard.
Yesterday, St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukes was the only EPC member who refused to support the list.
She said the projects that would have allowed Winnipeg to expand its tax base and develop its reputation as a hub for trade, Chief Peguis in particular, were at the bottom of the list.
Today, she seconded Bowman's motion to proceed with requesting federal funds for Waverley under the Canada Building Fund.
Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt, too, changed his tune, from wanting to put the brakes on the projects due to what he called political interference, with the provincial and federal governments rushing the city to sign off on a list of priorities.
Today, he supported Bowman's motion and Gerbasi's amendment, in spite of his wish to see more rapid transit brought on board.
"I'm excited to be able to support the motion today, because what we're doing is exactly what [the Transportation Master Plan] envisioned with the limited resources we have. Ideally, yes, we would be doing these plus a rapid transit corridor. Or two," he said.
"Let us do what we can to maximize those resources, which is what your amendment does today, councillors. It allows you to have oversight with regards to those projects in terms of scope and cost."
Wyatt also criticized the formula for federal funding, saying Winnipeg has already asked it be amended.
"Right now, automatically, on any project coming through on Building Canada, deducted right off the top: land assembly cost, not part of the program. Engineering costs, not part of the program. Other related engineering costs not part of the program," he said.
"So when the federal government and provincial government say, 'We will be happy to cover up to this dollar, based on our criteria," what that's code for is that they're not there for a true one third."
Wyatt ended by remarking on a change in climate at city hall.
"No matter how acute and challenging these issues are. ,.... that job of solving that problem, addressing that challenge is made so much easier and so much simpler by having the kind of communication, the kind of co-operation, the kind of listening that has taken place in the last week," he said, thanking the mayor and EPC. "That is a breath of fresh air which no doubt is made possible through their leadership," he said.