City Council approves 2020-2023 budget
March 20, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Today, City Council voted 11-3 to adopt a multi-year budget that includes the closure of Waverley Fleet, cuts to jobs including 311, French Language Services, Cemeteries, Water and Waste emergency crews and other departments.
On March 19, the city’s Executive Policy Committee made a number of recommended amendments to the budget including the cancellation of Sunday closures to libraries but did not amend the reduction to library weeknight hours.
“While we’re glad that libraries will remain open on Sundays, and Leisure Guide programs were partially restored, our city is still facing cuts to important services,” said Local 500 President Gord Delbridge. “The loss of Waverley Fleet, one of our 24-hour emergency response teams, evening hours at the library, and cuts to 311 will all weaken Winnipeg in our greatest time of need.”
The Local made a number of presentations at the special standing committee meetings and at the special meeting of the city’s Executive Policy Committee.
Throughout his presentations, Local 500 president Gord Delbridge highlighted a number of concerns including the city’s continued reliance of vacancy management to save money.
“Our City can reach a million residents, but without a robust workforce we will have a public service that is unable to meet the needs of our community,” said Delbridge.
Here's how council voted on the budget:
Voting in favour: Mayor Bowman, Councillors Orlikow, Gillingham, Mayes, Allard, Gilroy, Sharma, Browaty, Rollins, Santos, and Lukes.
Voting Against: Councillors Klein, Eadie and Schreyer.
Copies of our presentations can be found on the links below:
Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage, and Downtown Development (Special Meeting)
Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works (Special Meeting)
Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks (Special Meeting)
Standing Policy Committee on Innovation and Economic Development (Special Meeting)
Standing Policy Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and the Environment (Special Meeting)
Executive Policy Committee to hear public delegations on budgets (Special Meeting)
