WINNIPEG - May 9, 2008 – Committed to creating safer neighbourhoods and a clean City of Opportunity, Mayor Sam Katz today highlighted some of the many community clean-ups taking place in Winnipeg over the next month.

“A clean city instills pride and a sense of ownership for those who live in that community,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “When citizens lead by example and roll up their sleeves, it is an opportunity for others to challenge their community and take part in the positive revitalization of their own neighbourhoods to create a safer city.”

Many neighbourhood associations within the inner-Winnipeg communities and throughout Winnipeg implement spring clean-up events with the support of organizations such as Take Pride Winnipeg. The City of Winnipeg is proud to support these neighbourhood initiatives by participating on the organizing committee, loan of equipment, provision of safety gloves, neighbourhood maps, etc.

This Spring, the new Community By-law Enforcement Unit will connect with many of the neighbourhood associations that are conducting a clean-up and follow up with the owners of specific private properties which are posing a problem from a maintenance perspective.

Examples of some of the scheduled clean-ups include:

WINNIPEG - May 9, 2008 - Committed to improving active transportation and promoting cycling in our city of opportunity, Mayor Sam Katz today joined partners from Bike to the Future, Climate Change Connection, Manitoba Cycling Association, Resource Conservation Manitoba, and Winnipeg Trails Association to announce “Bike to Work Day” to be held on Friday, June 20th.

“Bike to Work Day” is an active and energetic opportunity to highlight the environmental, health, and economic benefits of cycling by encouraging Winnipeggers to cycle to work or school.

The city recently released the 2008 Active Transportation Action Plan which outlines the City’s active transportation plans over the next three years. This year alone, the City will construct an additional 70 kilometers of on-street and pathway cycling routes.

“Winnipeggers want safe and direct transportation alternatives, and we have shown our commitment and leadership to expanding our active transportation network,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “This initiative is an opportunity to educate and promote cycling in our city and I encourage all members of City Council, the Public Service, and our citizens to join me on June 20th as we get active and bike to work.”

“Like a growing number of Winnipeggers, I have started cycling to work. The transition from motorist to cyclist has been easier than I would have imagined,” said Ron Brown, Executive Director of the Manitoba Cycling Association. “I support the work done by our civic leaders in developing the 2008 Active Transportation Plan, and I look forward to participating in ‘Bike to Work Day’.”

Winnipeggers are encouraged to visit www.biketoworkdaywinnipeg.org to register and learn more about active transportation in Winnipeg. The first 300 people to register on the website will receive a Bike to Work t-shirt, and a pancake breakfast will be served to the first 300 cyclists to reach The Forks the morning of the event.

WINNIPEG - May 9, 2008 – The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Preparedness Program today launched EmergWeb, a site where citizens can learn more about emergency preparedness, identified risks for the community, and how to prepare themselves and their family for an emergency. This new emergency preparedness and emergency public information tool can be found at winnipeg.ca/emergweb.

“The intent of EmergWeb is to enhance our ability to relay information in a large emergency, and to encourage citizens to prepare for an emergency and become familiar with the site before they actually need it in an emergency situation,” said City of Winnipeg Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Randy Hull. “Preparedness starts at home; and people only need to look at events like the Elie tornado to know it can happen here.”

In a non-emergency time, EmergWeb is intended to be a resource for citizens in preparing for an emergency, and in protecting themselves, their family, and their property, should the need arise. In an emergency, EmergWeb will be a vital link to citizens and the media.