Winnipeg Minute: Issue 71

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

📅 This Week In Winnipeg: 📅

• After an eight-year absence, the Ten Commandments monument has been reinstalled in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park. Originally donated in 1965 by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, it was the only monument of its kind placed in Canada as part of a broader North American initiative. The monument was removed in 2017 during the construction of The Leaf, and its future location was uncertain due to concerns about religious symbolism in public spaces. In 2019, discussions began about relocating it, but plans were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eagles declined to take it back, leaving the Assiniboine Park Conservancy to determine its fate. After consultations with the City of Winnipeg and other stakeholders, the decision was made to reinstall the monument near The Leaf, close to its original site. The Conservancy emphasized that the chosen location reflects an effort to respect diverse perspectives and maintain a peaceful setting for all visitors.
  
  
• Speaking of monuments, a long-standing World War I statue once located at Portage and Main is being moved to a new home this fall. The statue, which commemorates 231 Bank of Montreal employees who died in the war, was removed earlier this year as part of efforts to reopen the iconic intersection to pedestrians. It will be relocated to the Field of Honour in Brookside Cemetery, a section dedicated to veterans. Concerns erupted on social media after a photo appeared to show the statue abandoned among debris, but the Manitoba Métis Federation clarified it was simply being stored outdoors under protective wrap at a secure facility. The overgrowth and rusted items in the photo were not in the same yard. MMF acquired the statue along with the old Bank of Montreal building in 2020 and has committed to covering the relocation costs. Once the donation agreement with the City is finalized, the statue will become City property. A public ceremony is planned to mark the monument’s reinstallation.
  
  
• As Winnipeg’s new transit system enters its second month, leftover infrastructure from old bus routes is causing confusion among riders. Some seniors and other passengers mistakenly wait at decommissioned stops with outdated signs and shelters, leading to long waits and missed buses. Transit officials are currently removing old shelters and signs, with 71 of 193 decommissioned shelters taken down so far. The removal process is expected to be completed by the end of August. However, many riders are frustrated because they must now walk farther to catch the bus, which is especially difficult during winter due to poor sidewalk conditions. Concerns have been raised about the impact this has on those who rely heavily on transit. 
  
  
• A construction manager has entered the race to fill the vacant Council seat for Elmwood-East Kildonan. Abel Gutierrez says he is focusing on fighting rising neighbourhood crime and addressing aging infrastructure as his main priorities. Having grown up in the area, he says he is familiar with its challenges. Gutierrez also wants to see investment in community centres like Chalmers and is pushing for faster repairs to the Louise Bridge, which has been closed to vehicle traffic since May. He emphasizes his blue-collar background and desire to give back to the community. He joins three other candidates, including a labour leader and a housing advocate, in the race. The by-election is set for October 25th.
  
  
• Some business owners in Winnipeg are fleeing the city due to escalating threats of arson and extortion. Several businesses, including restaurants and convenience stores, have been targeted with threats demanding large sums of money, and some have been set on fire. Security footage shows individuals breaking into businesses and throwing Molotov cocktails, and some businesses have received threatening notes warning of further violence. Business owners believe these incidents are connected and part of a coordinated criminal scheme, but police say investigations are ongoing and they cannot confirm links between cases. Extortion cases in Winnipeg have sharply increased in recent years, mirroring trends seen in other Canadian cities. Despite evidence such as surveillance videos and license plates, arrests have yet to be made, causing frustration among affected owners. Police encourage those threatened to come forward and report incidents.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

But, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!