Winnipeg Minute: Zoning Changes, Office Return, and Necessary Settlement Money

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

This Week In Winnipeg:

• This morning, at 11:30 am, there will be a Special Meeting of the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee. The Committee will discuss various development plans, as well as intersections and traffic signals.
  
  
• The Executive Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The agenda includes various business zone levies, a French Language Services Five-Year Bylaw Update, and potentially renaming Bonaventure Park to Tunngasugit Park as part of the Welcoming Winnipeg initiative. On Wednesday, at 9:00 am, there will be a Special Meeting of the Assiniboia Community Committee to discuss a development plan for 3707 Roblin Boulevard.
  
  
• Winnipeg has yet to receive the $22.5 million settlement from the police headquarters lawsuit, despite relying on it to cover last year’s budget shortfall. A City report confirms no funds have been collected, though officials remain confident the payment will come through. The Chair of the City’s Finance Committee said that the City has secured six properties as collateral and that lawyers and auditors have now told them that it is a valid receivable. Councillor Brian Mayes questioned the timing of recording the funds, suggesting it appears as "found money" to resolve the deficit. While the City originally projected a deficit for 2024, the settlement accounting now shows a surplus.

Last Week In Winnipeg:

• Mayor Scott Gillingham said he expects City employees to return to the office full-time, five days a week. Currently, workers are required to be in the office at least three days a week, but Gillingham believes this change will benefit downtown businesses and improve customer service. While some businesses and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce support the move, the union representing City workers argues that flexibility and employee satisfaction are crucial for recruitment and retention. The timeline for implementing this change is still uncertain, as discussions continue with the interim CAO and will be further explored once a permanent CAO is hired.
  
  
• Winnipeg police arrested nine individuals in the William Whyte neighbourhood during a 12-day crime-suppression initiative in late February. The operation was launched in response to rising crime, including shootings, arsons, and assaults, with community members expressing concerns over safety. Police targeted known gang members, conducted traffic stops, and enforced bail conditions, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of firearms.
  
  
• The City has introduced proposed zoning changes to encourage housing density, including allowing four-unit buildings on lots currently zoned for single-family homes and duplexes. The latest revisions lower height limits for fourplexes near transit and require paved back lanes for triplexes and fourplexes. Councillor Brian Mayes, who previously criticized the changes, sees progress but still has concerns about narrow lot widths and reduced public input. Mayor Scott Gillingham praised City staff for incorporating feedback while ensuring compliance with federal funding requirements. A public hearing on the changes is expected later this spring.