Winnipeg Minute: Issue 59

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

📅 This Week In Winnipeg: 📅

• This afternoon, at 12:00 pm, the Climate Action and Resilience Committee will meet. The Committee will receive an update on the City’s Building Emissions Reduction Strategy (BERS). The Strategy aims to reduce emissions in City-owned buildings through energy efficiency upgrades, electrification, and renewable energy integration, aligning with the City's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The strategy is driven by the need to lower energy costs and address the challenges posed by the city's aging portfolio of over 1,200 facilities. These buildings, many of which are inefficient and require significant maintenance, lead to high energy use and rising operational costs. The BERS includes three main priorities: upgrading building management systems, optimizing building energy use, and developing a long-term plan for infrastructure renewal and electrification. Significant investments are required for various initiatives under the strategy. For instance, the installation of building management systems in 13 priority buildings is expected to cost $2.25 million by 2028, while the integration of SkySpark analytics across 31 buildings is projected to cost $100,000 by 2027. Retro-commissioning of 35 buildings is estimated at $674,800, with additional costs for staff. Energy audits for 10 buildings will cost between $300,000 and $400,000 by 2027, and the implementation of heat pump systems will range from $10,000 to $100,000 per unit. Renewable energy system installations are expected to cost at least $50,000 per system. Funding for these initiatives is being sourced from various programs, including Efficiency Manitoba, the Low Carbon Economy Fund, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with further applications underway.
  
  
• The Executive Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The agenda includes an ongoing discussion about legislative changes regarding the Public Utilities Board (PUB) regulation of Winnipeg's water and wastewater rates. The Committee is seeking an extension of 180 days to gather more information and evaluate the implications of giving PUB oversight of these rates. This extension allows more time to explore financial models for the North End Water Pollution Control Centre upgrades, including discussions with provincial and federal governments. Additionally, the committee is reviewing the impact of such regulatory changes on the City's credit rating and utility rate setting for the future.
  
  
• The Executive Policy Committee will also discuss a memorial in Scurfield Park to honour the 176 victims of Ukrainian Flight PS752. Among the victims were eight Manitobans. The memorial will feature a wall inscribed with the names of all those who perished and aims to provide a space for mourning and reflection. The project was initiated through an online application by a private individual who will fund the monument, while the City will contribute $1,000 for a land-acknowledgment plaque. January 8th is now observed as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters in Canada.
  
  
• The City of Winnipeg claims that a major sewage spill in early 2024 had minimal ecological impact on Lake Winnipeg, countering a $4.8-billion lawsuit filed by 11 First Nations. These First Nations argue that over 200 million litres of untreated sewage contaminated the Red River and ultimately Lake Winnipeg, harming their communities and breaching their rights. The City, Province, and federal government deny liability, asserting that the plaintiffs lack standing on several claims. Winnipeg maintains that it is only one of many contributors to nutrient pollution in Lake Winnipeg, which also receives runoff from agriculture across a wide watershed. The City also states that eliminating all wastewater discharge would not significantly improve lake conditions due to the influence of other sources. Cross-claims have been filed among the three levels of government, each accusing the others of failing to provide adequate support or funding for wastewater infrastructure upgrades. The case continues in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench.
  
  
• Winnipeg is moving forward with plans to lease space in Garden City Shopping Centre for a new northwest library, but some residents fear it could lead to the closure of the West Kildonan Library. The City previously considered relocating the West Kildonan branch in 2022 but dropped the idea after public opposition. Although the Jefferson Avenue building needs significant repairs, including a new roof, no funding has been allocated for renovations. A 2024 report estimated that renovations would cost between $6.3 million and $10.7 million, depending on the extent of the upgrades. Library supporters argue that neglecting the West Kildonan building may be a strategy to justify its eventual closure. City officials insist there are no plans to close any branches, though they admit there are no current plans to invest in major repairs either. The new library space will cost over $2 million to renovate, with annual rent and operating costs projected to exceed $400,000 combined. The final decision still requires approval from City Council.
  
  
• The union representing Winnipeg paramedics is raising urgent concerns about dangerous working conditions, citing a sharp rise in violence, burnout, and lack of support. A recent survey revealed that 93% of respondents experienced violence on the job, with many facing it daily or weekly. Over two-thirds said they often work understaffed, and more than 70% have seriously considered quitting in the past year. Union leaders say paramedics are emotionally and physically drained, routinely rushing from one traumatic call to another without time to recover. The union blames City leadership for neglecting the issue and failing to invest in frontline workers’ well-being. While the City acknowledged the growing challenges due to the opioid crisis and highlighted recent changes in dispatch protocols, union reps say more systemic fixes are urgently needed. Paramedics are calling on both City and provincial officials to take immediate action and treat the situation as a public safety crisis.
  
  
• Winnipeg has not incurred any direct tariff costs on its U.S. purchases so far, according to the City's Chief Financial Officer, Tracy Graham. However, officials say it's difficult to detect the full impact of US tariffs, especially when costs are embedded in materials supplied by contractors or passed along indirectly. The City is monitoring invoices where it is the importer of record and requiring contractors to justify cost increases related to tariffs. Graham warned that some suppliers are using tariffs as a pretext to hike prices, prompting the City to double-check such claims. Complications arise when products use components from tariff-affected countries like China, making it hard to pinpoint added costs. Major construction projects, including the Pembina Highway overpass and the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus, are being assessed for tariff-related risks.
  
  
• The Winnipeg Jets’ playoff run has provided the City with a major boost in visibility and tourism, generating millions in free publicity. Televised games and street parties, which attract about 22,000 people downtown, have showcased Winnipeg to national and international audiences. Economic Development Winnipeg supported the events with $90,000 and partnered with social media influencers, whose content reached 58 million views and generated roughly $2 million in “earned media”, which means that it’s estimated that replicating that level of exposure through paid media would cost up to $2 million. The City of Winnipeg has also contributed through in-kind services and planning support. Local businesses are also benefiting from the influx of fans and the overall excitement surrounding the Jets’ success.

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