WINNIPEG - June 3, 2009 - Committed to ensuring the priorities of Winnipeggers are being addressed, Mayor Sam Katz today once again called on the Provincial Government to listen to the concerns of Winnipeggers and take action on several long outstanding issues.

“Winnipeggers have made it very clear what their priorities are – fix our neglected roads and bridges, and improve public safety,” said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. “Although we’ve enjoyed a positive working relationship with the Premier, I believe we need to let the Province know that we desperately require their action to shake the dust off some long-standing issues and listen to the concerns of Winnipeggers.”

Some of those long-standing requests include:

Alternate Revenue Sources

• share of existing growth revenues to address our $3.7 billion dollar infrastructure deficit

• request to reduce the timeframe and condense the number of steps involved in the “taking title without compensation process”


• current provisions (modeled after the “taking title in tax sale process”) provide owners of vacant and/or derelict buildings multiple opportunities to bring their property into temporary compliance with the Vacant & Derelict Buildings By-Law


• the City believes in due process, but we are also of the opinion that this process could be shortened, in order to allow more timely redevelopment of vacant and/or derelict properties that are a blight on neighbourhoods, and pose health & safety risks to residents and emergency services personnelM


• while initial discussions with the Province have been positive, Charter amendments have not as yet been tabled

• the existing contract with the WRHA for provision of EMS expired March 31, 2009


• the City requested increased funding from the WRHA of $7.5 million


• the Province provided increased funding of $3.8 million, leaving a $3.7 million shortfall (of which the Province is contractually obligated to fund $2M)

• health inspection falls under provincial jurisdiction and is governed by provincial legislation


• currently, City conducts health inspections in the inner city and Province conducts health inspections in the suburbs


• the Red Tape Commission recommended in 2005 that it should be an intergovernmental priority to eliminate cases of jurisdictional overlap, beginning with environmental health and safety enforcement


• Following the release of the Red Tape Commission findings, Council directed the Public Service on July 18, 2007, to explore consolidation of future jurisdictional responsibility of public health inspectors. Formal negotiations began on December 10, 2007 and are still ongoing

• the Community Revitalization Tax Increment Financing Act was introduced on November 26, 2008 and has yet to receive second reading


• passage of the legislation would facilitate provincial participation in community redevelopment initiatives, potentially including the City’s multi-family grant program


• the City has been working with Provincial officials on the multi-family grant program, with the City understanding TIF Zone legislation as the delivery mechanism

• in March, 2009, the Clean Environment Commission released recommendations (consistent with environmental licenses issued in 2006) that the City be required to remove phosphorous, nitrogen and ammonia at its wastewater plants; the Province has accepted the recommendations


• the Water & Waste Department met with the CEC during their deliberations and presented: (i) the City position in agreement with scientists that phosphorus removal is key to improving conditions on Lake Winnipeg and that nitrogen removal is not beneficial; (ii) evidence that ammonia limits in the environmental licenses are overprotective of fish and should be revised to recognize site specific criteria and current river flows


• the capital cost of the remaining improvements at the North End and South End Water Pollution Control centres is in the order of $600 million


• the increased operating costs at those facilities will be very significant - up to $30 million per year in chemical, power, and maintenance costs


• the Province has indicated that it will contribute about one third of the capital cost or $200 million, but does not contribute to operating costs