Mayoral hopefuls focus on roads, housing, transit

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This article was published 05/09/2022 (744 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A mayoral candidate hopes new money for roads will entice drivers to park their votes with him.

Scott Gillingham, a two-term councillor who is running for mayor, has promised to add $50 million to the city’s road repair budget over the next four years.

“I’m proud to have helped deliver (road) investments as city council’s finance chair, but I believe we need to do more… We have to do more to outpace inflation and decades of neglect that have led to road conditions like the ones you see on this block,” said Gillingham, during a news conference on Queenston Street in River Heights.

If divided evenly, the increase would bring city spending on local and regional roads up from $112 million to $124.5 million in 2023. The increase isn’t based on total roads spending, however, because the city can’t assume the level of federal and provincial contributions for infrastructure in future years, he said.

Gillingham took aim at a key opponent Glen Murray, by accusing him of failing to invest in roads when he was Winnipeg’s mayor from 1998 to 2004.

“His failure still shows. Today’s potholes are yesterday’s neglected maintenance… If you think it’s ancient history, well, (Murray is) running on his record,” said Gillingham.

He said the roads budget dropped from $51.5 million in 2003 to $34 million in 2004, under Murray’s leadership.

However, Murray dismissed the claims.

“I think what he’s suggesting is not accurate and it doesn’t reflect the reality. I’m quite happy to put my record up against his any day on infrastructure,” said Murray.

While he confirmed the roads budget did decrease as Gillingham noted, Murray said that occurred when council shifted more money to address water, sewer and other infrastructure needs.

As then-chair of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus, Murray said he led a successful effort to secure millions of new federal gas tax dollars in 2004 to help municipalities repair roads.

On Tuesday, another mayoral contender promised to create a $100-million community housing land trust, if he becomes mayor.

Shaun Loney said the trust would own land that could be used to build more than 2,000 affordable, rent-geared-to-income, co-op and supportive housing units. The group running the trust would include government, housing, non-profit and industry representatives, while non-profits and co-ops would be responsible to set up housing initiatives.

“We would remove the land acquisition costs from any projects like this and the money would go so much further… This gives non-profits the flexibility to customize their solutions and to move much quicker to get us the city that we all want,” said Loney.

He said the trust would be funded through investments from foundations, community bonds and government partnerships.

Loney said the startup effort could require city grants, but a minimal municipal cost would be far outweighed by its benefits.

“I would argue (the trust) would reduce costs for the city because we’re going to see a reduction in the number of people in contact with emergency services. We’re going to see more young people be able to afford housing,” he said.

Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Idris Adelakun promised to boost safety on Winnipeg Transit. If elected, Adelakun says he would ask the police board to provide eight officers whose main responsibility would be Transit-related concerns.

He would also ensure bus operator panic buttons alert Transit supervisors and police, provide bus drivers with extended shields, and increase the number of transit supervisors, with a long-term goal to create a Winnipeg Transit police force.

The announcements came as a 15th candidate registered to compete in the mayoral race. Vincent Gabriele joined the race on Tuesday.

Also running are: Jenny Motkaluk, Don Woodstock, Chris Clacio, Rick Shone, Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Rana Bokhari, Desmond Thomas, Jessica Peebles, Kevin Klein and Govind Thawani.

All of the contenders must complete a nomination process to become an official candidate by Sept. 20 at 4:30 p.m. If they don’t, they could be disqualified from the Oct. 26 vote.

Joyanne.pursaga@freeprss.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga