Futures of compost, remote work programs in question after Winnipeg city councillors delay decisions

Winnipeg city councillors delayed decisions on a potential curbside compost program and the future of remote-work arrangements for city staff at an executive policy committee meeting on Thursday.

A report published last week found 15 per cent of the city's workforce — 1,550 total — have been approved to work from home under the flexible work program.

During Thursday's meeting, the executive policy committee — Mayor Scott Gillingham's inner circle — voted to lay that report over to its meeting next month while it waits for more information on how the program is affecting customer service.

"How are we measuring the impact on customer service?" Gillingham said to reporters during a break in Thursday's meeting before the vote.

"That to me, again, is the key. The people of Winnipeg deserve excellent customer service from the public servants, and I want to make sure that that's being delivered."

Winnipeg city councillors were split over what should happen with the remote-work program. St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard, speaking as a delegate, said the program is essential to staff recruitment efforts and should be expanded.

A motion from Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt calling for an end to the program was received as information, meaning the committee took no action on it. 

Gillingham said he did not support Wyatt's motion.

"I don't want to see the program expanded and I won't support it being eliminated," he said, adding he wanted to give his council colleagues a chance to ask questions.

Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood Coun. Evan Duncan, who seconded Wyatt's motion, said he has received complaints from constituents about members of the public service not being accountable.

"It's frustrating, and I'm frustrated now as a councillor hearing from residents that don't like the way that ultimately their tax dollars are being spent," he said to Angie Cusson, director of human resource services at the City of Winnipeg and author of the report.

"And I don't like that I can't get answers from people that are working from home."

Cusson replied that city managers have tools to monitor staff who are working from home, and approvals are made at the discretion of department directors. 

She also told the committee that compared to eight other large public institutions, the rate of participation in the city's work-from-home program was among the lowest, with only Shared Health having a lower participation rate.

Others had a participation rate between 20 and 45 per cent.

Compost program decision delayed

The future of a proposed Winnipeg curbside compost program remains in question after the committee also delayed a decision on that, while it waits for more information.

Following a pilot project that tested the compost pickup program in five Winnipeg neighbourhoods, a report said it could take until 2030 to get a full citywide program running.

That report also said the service could cost each household $96 a year. 

Gillingham told reporters he supports the idea of a compost program, but wants to "find a way to implement it sooner and for less money."

"The seven-year timeline … and the costs that are being looked at right now" are "too long a timeline and too expensive a program," he said.

Several delegates speaking before the meeting declared support for the program, but wondered if there might be a way to ease the burden of the cost on low-income households.

North End sewage plant budget increase

The committee also approved an increase of $482 million to the North End sewage treatment plant. 

A report delivered earlier this month said the estimated costs of construction had gone up since the budget was last set in 2019.

Gillingham says he has lobbied both the Manitoba and federal governments to increase their funding commitments to the project.

That decision goes to council for a final vote next week.