Construction association targets city budget in ad campaign

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This article was published 05/12/2016 (2979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The local construction industry is escalating its opposition to Winnipeg’s proposed 2017 budget spending on roads.

The Manitoba Heavy Construction Association said Monday it is launching a series of radio ads in a bid to pressure city council to amend the budget.

A spokeswoman for the MHCA said the ads will be highlight how funds raised through the two per cent property tax increase is not being spent on roads, contrary to the commitment from council.

The ads also point out the proposed roads spending plan for 2017-2022 is $98 million less than what council had planned to spend for those years in the 2015 budget.

“The MHCA is asking Mayor Bowman and council to keep their two per cent tax-plan promise, stick to the deal — return to the forecast for investment in the street renewal program laid out in the 2015 Capital Budget,” the MHCA states in a news release. “If council changes the plan, then it must lay out for Winnipeggers the full implications of cutting nearly $100 million out of street repairs.”

The construction industry is going toe-to-toe with Bowman over the budget. Last week, Bowman sent an angry email to members of council denouncing the MHCA’s claim and dismissing its president, Chris Lorenc, as an “industry lobbyist.” The email alleged that Lorenc had conspired with Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt in attacking the roads budget plans at a public hearing last week, which both individuals have denied.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca