This year has given us a lot to reflect on. It has further reinforced the importance of recognizing and honouring the past as well building a future through the lens of reconciliation.
In 2022, the Naawi-Oodena services agreement between the Treaty One First Nations and the City of Winnipeg was signed, we also recognized the renaming of Rooster Town Park and Theodore Niizhotay Fontaine Park through Welcoming Winnipeg: Reconciling our History, as well as planted Indigenous Gardens at City Hall to share traditions and honour Survivors of residential schools.
We’ve strengthened our dedication to building a stronger, more inclusive City with the openings of Amoowigamig, a downtown permanent public washroom, the Community Connections space, installed hydration stations to provide relief in hot weather, honoured our first Poverty Reduction Strategy, introduced the Winnipeg Transit Priority and Courtesy Seating Policy, launched Winnipeg WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle), and held a panel discussion on eliminating gender-based violence.
With a lot of planning, dedication, and help of around 2,000 election workers, we put on the largest single day customer service initiative at the City: the 2022 Municipal and School Boards Election
We celebrated several awards including for Crescent Drive Park’s Forest Pavilion, our health and safety teams, the dedication of a Recreation Services employee, and the Winnipeg Police Services’ Virtual Police Response project. We also took in the beauty around us with the Year of the Garden, marked a milestone for the Winnipeg Public Library’s Time to Read podcast, unveiled the Ab McDonald display in the St. James Civic Centre, and launched the Station Doggie Dates program.
This year we launched a new Winnipeg Transit app, a new Winnipeg Fire Paramedic dispatch system, an enhanced MyUtility, an updated homepage to make it easier for you to find the information you’re looking for, as well as installed a new lighting system on Esplanade Riel and several electric vehicle charging stations.
We know there is still a lot of work to do. As we move in to 2023, know we will always be pursuing improvement, while providing the services you rely on.
For all of us at the City of Winnipeg, we hope you have a safe holiday season and a happy new year.