Winnipeg Minute: Tax Increase, Ticket Deliveries, and the Supervised Consumption Site

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

This Week In Winnipeg:

• On Wednesday, at 2:00 pm, there will be a Special Meeting of the Executive Policy Committee. No agenda is available for this meeting yet.
  
  
• There will be a City Council meeting on Thursday at 9:30 am. The agenda includes proposed 2025 initiatives for the federal Housing Accelerator Fund program, the 2025 Audit Plan, and several zoning amendments.
  
  
• The City is using courier services to deliver photo radar tickets during the ongoing Canada Post strike, in order to ensure compliance with provincial rules requiring tickets to be served within 14 days. A private vendor handles deliveries within Winnipeg, while a separate courier manages out-of-town addresses. The cost of this alternative remains unclear.

Last Week In Winnipeg:

• It was revealed that Winnipeg's upcoming 2025 budget could see a 5.95% property tax increase, the largest in 34 years. Apparently, the increase is needed to address revenue shortfalls and rising costs for core services like road repairs and policing. Mayor Scott Gillingham, who previously pledged to limit tax hikes to 3.5%, has signaled the need for greater revenue due to inflation and population growth. Gillingham has called for a new funding model from the Province to better support municipalities.
  
  
• Manitoba's first proposed supervised drug consumption site has been identified. The site is planned for 200 Disraeli Freeway, led by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre. While advocates welcome the initiative as a step toward harm reduction, critics, including the Manitoba Métis Federation, argue it lacks a comprehensive strategy and wraparound services. The site is across from a high school, and some community members have expressed concerns. This would be the first Indigenous-led consumption site in Canada, and the application to Health Canada is under review.
  
  
• The Winnipeg Police Board has selected a candidate to become the city's next Police Chief, though the official announcement hasn’t taken place yet. Board chair Markus Chambers stated the decision is finalized, pending confirmation processes, and the announcement may align with the upcoming City Council meeting or require a special session. The new Chief will replace Danny Smyth, who retired in September after 38 years in service, including seven as Chief. The incoming leader will face challenges such as officer burnout, budget constraints, and evolving expectations regarding police roles in mental health and addictions issues.