Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg has unveiled its By-Law Enforcement Strategy, a framework designed to create a coordinated approach to by-law enforcement across the organization. The strategy covers by-law enforcement activities such as warnings, tickets, compliance orders, and remedial action. It also focuses on appeals and fine collection.
“Residents and businesses deserve by-law enforcement that’s consistent, timely, and easy to navigate,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “This strategy is about making the system work better for people, whether they’re reporting a concern, responding to a violation notice, or just trying to understand the process. It’s a step toward better service and clearer expectations for everyone.”
The strategy was developed in response to a 2018 By-law Amalgamation Audit and is intended to improve by-law enforcement by having a City-wide framework that sets clear goals, defines expectations, enhances customer service, increases performance tracking, and standardizes enforcement tools and templates. Council’s Strategic Priorities Action Plan also calls for the creation of a coordinated, one-stop-shop process for enforcement.
The strategy has four key goals, which aim to ensure:
- By-law non-compliance is identified, and mechanisms are in place to encourage compliance
- By-law enforcement activities are fair, transparent, and consistent
- By-law enforcement activities are conducted in a timely manner and are responsive to stakeholder needs
- By-law enforcement activities are coordinated and resourced appropriately
Each goal is supported by actionable steps that departments will follow to achieve the goals.
There are 32 by-laws covered by the strategy, including by-laws in the following areas:
- Assessment and Taxation Department
- Community Services Department
- Planning, Property and Development Department
- Public Works Department
- Water and Waste Department
- Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service
- Winnipeg Transit
If approved by Council, the strategy would roll out in two phases. Phase 1 (July 2025 – July 2026) would focus on City-wide improvements like:
- Standardizing enforcement templates
- Improving 311 triaging
- Centralizing by-law information on Winnipeg.ca to make it easier for the public to access by-law enforcement services, file complaints, appeal, and pay fines
Each department would pilot at least one by-law during phase 1 to assess the strategy’s goals and performance measures before broader rollout. The results of phase 1 would be reported back to Council by the end of 2026, and include a longer-term plan for consolidating by-law enforcement under one department.
Phase 2 would involve the full implementation of the strategy (anticipated on January 1, 2027) across all covered by-laws and departments.
The strategy will be presented at the July 8 meeting of Executive Policy Committee. It is available to view now on DMIS.