Winnipeg’s mayor has laid out a five-point plan for a partnership he’d like to see with Manitoba’s government to help reboot the city’s economy in the wake of COVID-19.
Brian Bowman released details of the proposal Thursday afternoon just hours after Manitoba’s premier announced $500 million in new funding for infrastructure projects over the next two years.
Bowman said the city was not given a heads-up on the large pot of provincial funding, despite meeting with provincial officials earlier in the day before the premier’s announcement.
Bowman is calling on the province to:
- Commit to maintaining existing levels of capital and operating support for the city this year and for the three remaining years of Winnipeg’s multi-year balanced budgets.
- Accelerate payment of this year’s capital and operating funding for Winnipeg, giving the city full discretion on how to invest the money.
- Immediately support and forward the city’s application for federal and provincial cost sharing of $643.4 million for the renewal and upgrade of the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant, construction of a new recreation centre in Southwest Winnipeg and an expansion of the St James Civic Centre.
- Commit to partnering with the city to maximize its share of available federal transit funding, with specific investments to be guided by the city’s upcoming Transit Master Plan.
- Commit to implement what Bowman calls a “modern, growth-oriented funding framework.”
At his press conference Thursday morning Pallister said the newly announced provincial money for the Manitoba Restart Program will come on top of already-planned infrastructure investments of $3 billion over the next two years.
Pallister said the pot of money will be used for projects including water and sewer, road and highway resurfacing and repairs, bridge repairs, municipal infrastructure priorities, and possible cost-sharing construction projects with other levels of government.
Pallister said the province is looking for “shovel-ready and shovel-worthy” projects to support.
At his press conference Bowman said the specific projects he laid out in his plan are just that.
Those projects, including the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant, a new rec centre in Southwest Winnipeg, and expansion of the St James Civic Centre, are awaiting funding approval from the Investment in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
But Bowman says the province has yet to send in an application to the federal and provincial cost sharing program for the projects.
In a blog post outlining his plan Bowman said measures taken by the city to save money — including temporarily laying off staff, cutting discretionary spending, and reducing bus service and laying off drivers — are helping the city withstand the financial impact of COVID-19 for now.
But he said that may not be the case if provincially-mandated physical measures extend beyond August.
He said the city is losing roughly $12 million a month during the COVID-19, and if the provincial health measures remain in place until the end of August, the city stands to lose an estimated $78 million.
“We need to put in place a post-pandemic recovery plan that protects services and provides for the necessary investments to maintain a strong economy for Winnipeg and the Province,” said Bowman in his blog post.
“As always, I remain committed to working collaboratively with the Province of Manitoba while also remaining committed to defending the interests of all Winnipeggers who call our city home.”
Pallister said he expects more information on what projects will be announced through the Manitoba Restart Program in the coming weeks, but wouldn’t talk about specifics on what they might be Thursday.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
- Norad looking to NATO to help detect threats over the Arctic, chief says
- Alberta to overhaul municipal rules to include sweeping new powers, municipal political parties
- Grocery code: How Ottawa has tried to get Loblaw, Walmart on board
- Canada, U.S., U.K. lay additional sanctions on Iran over attack on Israel
Comments