Winnipeg Minute: Issue 106

Winnipeg Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Winnipeg politics

📅 This Week In Winnipeg: 📅

• Winnipeg is moving forward with plans for a long-awaited aquatic centre in south Winnipeg, as the City issues a request for proposals to hire a consultant for its design. The facility, part of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus in Waverley West, is expected to cost between $40 million and $60 million and will feature a lap pool, leisure pool, waterslides, lazy river, hot tub, steam room, and multi-purpose event space. Council has approved $1.5 million in the 2026 budget for early design work and public engagement, though full construction funding has not yet been secured. Officials say the aquatic centre aims to meet the growing demand for swimming lessons and recreational space in a rapidly expanding part of the city. Future phases may include additional amenities such as an ice arena and library, creating a regional campus to serve Waverley West and surrounding areas.
  
  
• The City of Winnipeg is seeking a consultant to develop a comprehensive disaster debris management plan to improve its response to major events like storms, floods, and fires, which are expected to increase due to climate change. The plan will outline how to sort, collect, store, and dispose of debris efficiently, helping the City respond faster and avoid overwhelming services like waste collection and landfill capacity. Officials point to the October 2019 snowstorm, which caused widespread damage, power outages, and an $8-million cleanup, as an example of the need for better preparation. The new framework will also identify staffing needs, temporary storage sites, communication strategies, and recovery phases, while helping prevent environmental risks such as improper waste disposal. With $250,000 allocated for the project, the final plan is expected by November 13th. 
  
  
• The Province government has approved a $475,000 loan to JasperVOCAL, a Winnipeg-based startup that uses artificial intelligence to screen and manage sales calls for insurance companies. The funding was issued through the Manitoba Development Corporation as part of a program supporting business investment in productivity-enhancing technology. JasperVOCAL, a small firm with five employees, recently raised nearly $1 million from private investors and plans to use its technology to help insurers contact potential customers more efficiently without relying on call centres. The company’s system automates outbound calls and adapts messaging based on user interest, transferring qualified leads to human agents. Originally developed for political campaign outreach, the technology was later adapted for commercial use in the insurance sector. This loan follows other recent provincial financial supports to private companies, including larger funding commitments aimed at job protection and industrial expansion.
  
  
• The City of Winnipeg is urging residents to regularly read their water meters, noting that about 34% of utility bills - over 324,000 annually - are currently based on estimates rather than actual usage. Officials say submitting at least one meter reading per year, as required under the bylaw, ensures residents are billed accurately and can help detect leaks early. When readings are not provided, estimates are calculated using past usage or general consumption patterns, which can result in bills that are either too high or too low. Underestimates can lead to unexpected catch-up charges later, while overestimates mean residents may be overpaying. The City also highlights that resolving estimated billing issues can be time-consuming and contribute to longer wait times for customer service. Residents are encouraged to submit readings regularly - such as every three months - and use reminders or online tools like MyUtility to avoid billing issues and ensure accurate charges.
  
  
• Wait times for home care assessments in Winnipeg have remained stagnant over the past five years. Data reveals a median wait of 14 to 16 days, while the average wait time spans 26 to 27 days. These delays can hinder hospital discharges and negatively impact the independence of seniors, particularly those without local family support. Staffing levels for case coordinators have remained static despite an increasingly complex workload. While the coordinator workforce has seen almost no growth, the population of Manitobans aged 65 and older increased by over 13% between 2021 and 2025. Provincial Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara has acknowledged the necessity of hiring and training more staff to decrease wait times. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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