In his first State of the City address to a full crowd at a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce lunch, Mayor Scott Gillingham focused on the sometimes-twin issues of homeless and addictions, committing city time, attention and resources to making all citizens safe.
Gillingham outlined the City of Winnipeg’s housing and addictions efforts, such as increasing the number of rapid housing units, and announced that later this year, Winnipeggers will see rolled out a comprehensive community safety plan.
That plan will leverage and amplify the work of safety and violence prevention agencies and organization, he told approximately 1,000 attendees, adding that social and safety enforcement efforts have to work hand in hand.
One of the elements of City Hall’s initiatives will be to put a Winnipeg policy service unit of 20 officers to work on Transit buses. He said 40% of safety incidents on buses revolved around five routes.
While the address focused on safety and health, the mayor also noted his priorities for the next four years include economic development, specifically the rejuvenation of downtown and investing in our trade transportation infrastructure.
Winnipeg will only be strong when our downtown is healthy and strong, he said.
Gillingham explained the design studies for widening Kenaston Boulevard and to extend Chief Peguis Trail to the city’s northwest quadrant are keyed into the imperative for economic growth, as is the commitment to extend sewer and water services to CentrePort South.
“Mayor Gillingham is talking about the priorities seizing our city and our citizens,” MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc said. “The preliminary 2023 Operating and Capital Budget speaks to the need for our city investments to serve the well-being of all citizens.
“It also, in its focus on investment in trade routes and street renewals, underscores the reality that this takes serious financial resources and revenues are derived from a growing economy. That is done fastest and for the long-term through investing in trade transportation infrastructure.”