MHCA Meets with mayor gillingham to promote an “invest to grow strategy”
Winnipeg needs a strategic plan to guide economic growth and investment in its transportation network is a key piece, says MHCA President Chris Lorenc.
MHCA has been invited to meeting January 27 with Mayor Scott Gillingham to discuss city and industry priorities, including an “invest to grow” plan that MHCA submitted to all mayoral candidates in last fall’s election.
The key elements are putting all economic growth at the core of all city investment decision-making, ensuring that revenue generation can continue to support priority services to Winnipeggers. The MHCA has recommended the city elevate its manager of economic development to a level equivalent to CFO or COO, reporting to SPC on Finance, Innovation & Economic Development.
The City needs to update its analysis on the condition and investment needs/priorities of the transportation network, Lorenc said, because growth will not reach its potential without an efficient, connected system of trade routes.
“Our economy rides on roads. If you can’t move it, you can’t sell it,” he said.
Further, Winnipeggers have made clear they need reliable, safe transportation routes, whether they are driving, on transit, cycling or walking.
“We need to know that the annual tax hike of 2%, introduced to ensure stable funding for the renewal of roads, will continue to be dedicated to that purpose. So, to see adequate funding for all modes of transportation, the City needs to craft a transportation infrastructure investment plan,” Lorenc added.
With growing and competing demands for service funding, municipalities must make the strong case to the provincial and federal governments that a “new deal” for revenue sharing and funding agreements has to be struck. Municipalities own the majority of public infrastructure, yet collect just 10 cents of every tax dollar.
