Choppers, veterans and cost control: mayoral roundup

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This article was published 13/10/2022 (840 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Scott Gillingham isn’t impressed with competitor Glen Murray’s call to replace the police helicopter with surveillance drones.

He said it’s “a perfect example of Murray’s sloppy thinking.”

“As mayor, it will be my job to make sure our workers have the tools they need to do their jobs,” Gillingham said in a news release. “Everything we’ve seen so far suggests the helicopter is one of those tools.”

Murray promised to ground the Air1 police helicopter should he be elected mayor on Oct. 26, calling it more expensive and less technically advanced than aerial drones.

The helicopter, which was purchased in 2010, requires $2.2 million to operate annually.

Cancelling the helicopter could affect the number of arrests made by police and only marginally cut costs, Gillingham said.

“To date, Murray has not explained how many beat cops his proposal to cut the air unit would fund or when they would work,” Gillingham said.

Housing supports for veterans: Ouellette

Mayoral contender Robert-Falcon Ouellette pledged Thursday to provide new housing supports to Winnipeg veterans, free access to city services, and to build a memorial park.

He promised to work with Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion and housing groups to develop a housing unit for veterans that would include support services. Ouellette did not provide a cost estimate for his plan, but said the city would use vacant lots or parking lots it owns.

“Every veteran should feel a sense of belonging in our city,” he said.

His plan involves giving veterans free parking on streets and city-owned parking lots, and free access to city pools and leisure centres.

He wants to create a park in honour of the 159 Canadian soldiers — including seven Manitobans — who died in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014.

Ouellette, who served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years, said he would work to get seven streets named after those Manitobans who died as part of the NATO international force.

“Winnipeg is home to thousands of military veterans who served our nation honourably,” he said in a news release. “They are an important part of our city. Let’s show them what they mean to us.”

Cost-control plan coming: Klein

Kevin Klein said he plans to explain his cost-control plan Friday.

“Now is not the time for massive tax hikes in the city of Winnipeg. It’s time for cost control,” a news release from his team said. “Kevin Klein believes the city needs to know with certainty if we are having a revenue problem or spending problem.”

The other candidates for mayor are Shaun Loney, Jenny Motkaluk, Rick Shone, Idris Adelakun, Rana Bokhari, Chris Clacio and Don Woodstock.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca