Winnipeg council launches budget review process
The MHCA will be making a submission regarding the importance, in the current economic climate, of infrastructure investment as part of the City of Winnipeg’s budget review process, announced by Mayor Brian Bowman September 17.
“Work on core infrastructure was deemed an essential service in the spring when the City had to reduce spending as much of the economy was shut down by COVID-19,” MHCA President Chris Lorenc said. “This is not just because the services our industry provides are critical to residents, homeowners and businesses. It’s because the high economic returns of investing in infrastructure serve to stabilize financial challenges in such times.”
The budget review process is led by a budget working group, composed of the chairs of all council standing policy committees, the mayor, deputy mayor and acting deputy mayor.
Bowman said the budget working group will prepare a preliminary budget that is balanced, limits property tax increases to 2.33 percent, and makes strategic investments necessary to position Winnipeg as its population continues to grow toward a million people.
The public, including stakeholder organizations, are invited to give their views on the city’s budget planning once the preliminary operating and capital budget recommendations are tabled publicly. It is anticipated the 2021 Budget will come to a vote before the end of the year. The specific tabling date, as well as the standing policy committee meeting schedule to consider the preliminary budget will be announced the coming weeks.
