Winnipeg Minute: Issue 96

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

📅 This Week In Winnipeg: 📅

• On Thursday, at 9:30 am, there will be a City Council meeting. Council will consider amending the terms of reference for the Human Rights Committee of Council to allow the use of an intern to support its work. The proposal would formally permit the Committee and its sub-Committees to engage an intern, provided the position is funded within the Committee’s existing, Council-approved budget. Council will also consider a Notice of Motion allowing the Chief Construction Officer to respond to questions about “mega projects” during Council meetings. Proposed by Councillor Mayes and seconded by Mayor Gillingham, the motion would amend the Procedure By-aw to permit the officer to speak on such questions, provided 24 hours’ notice is given to the City Clerk.
  
  
• Winnipeg residents needing damaged garbage or recycling carts replaced are facing wait times of up to five weeks as the City deals with a growing backlog. The delays began in October 2025 and worsened over the holidays due to staffing shortages, with more than 2,000 households currently waiting for replacements. Many carts are past their expected lifespan after being rolled out more than a decade ago, contributing to the surge in requests. While residents waiting for replacements are automatically switched to manual collection, some are hesitant to apply because of concerns about garbage piling up. The City says average delivery takes about 25 business days, though new homeowners are prioritized and typically receive carts sooner. Officials expect the backlog to be cleared within a few months as service levels return to normal.
  
  
• Council has decided to keep its bird-friendly window requirement for certain new developments after strong public backlash against a proposal to remove it. City staff had suggested deleting the rule for builds near malls and major roadways, citing developer concerns about cost and difficulty sourcing materials. More than 700 residents objected, prompting Councillors to preserve the bylaw with added flexibility around how bird-safe treatments are applied. The amended rule still requires bird-friendly window measures up to a set height but allows planners discretion over acceptable materials. Advocates say the decision protects birds while acknowledging development pressures, especially in key growth corridors. City planners will now review bird-friendly policies elsewhere as part of a broader zoning review over the next two years.
  
  
• Councillor Russ Wyatt is pushing to end the City’s membership in the US-based North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO) and halt funding for certain business trips to the United States. The motion cites the $30,000 annual membership cost and related travel expenses as unnecessary for Winnipeg ratepayers. It also targets travel funding for the Red River Basin Commission, which involves councillors visiting the US to discuss water protection. The motion references tensions following US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and controversial comments about making Canada the 51st state, arguing that continued travel and membership are “out of step with the Canadian people.” The proposal is scheduled for discussion at Council on January 29th.
  
  
• Winnipeg’s St. Boniface Museum is facing rising costs as it works to restore the Grey Nuns Convent, the city’s oldest surviving building, and reopen after closing in 2024 for renovations. The Museum’s supporting foundation has launched a public campaign to raise $1.5 million to finish repairs and stay on track for a major anniversary. Approximately $4.5 million has been raised over two years through government funding, grants, and donations, including $3 million in federal contributions that depend on matching support from other partners. But construction inflation, specialized heritage restoration, and modern safety and accessibility requirements have created a larger funding gap than expected. While a City operating grant covers roughly 70% of basic expenses, it can’t be used for capital repairs. The Museum is seeking additional help from the City, which owns the building, arguing past agreements assign the City responsibility for long-term upkeep.

🚨 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!