CITY OF WINNIPEG 2014 BUDGET CONSULTATIONS
June 17, 2013 at 10:51 AM
As you may be aware, the City of Winnipeg is undertaking a consultation process to engage the citizens of Winnipeg in shaping the direction of the City's budget.
They want to know what the citizens of Winnipeg think about:
- What the priorities of the City should be; and
- What choices they would make if they were in charge of the City's budget.
While we are encouraged that this process is taking place, we are concerned about how the issues have been framed in the survey questions. For example, most of the questions are priority based and do not allow for citizens to describe their vision and values about the kind of city they want. This type of approach could lead to recommendations for significant cuts to programs and services that are less basic than protective services, water and sewer and roads.
Local 500 members who provide frontline public services are funded by the City's operating budget. It is also important to remember that although property tax increases are not popular, they are necessary to help improve services and maintain the city's infrastructure. We have seen the impact of 14 years of property tax freezes - increased privatization threats, vacancy management, user fee increases and cuts to seniors programs and other non-profit agencies. As a taxpayer and user of City services, it's important for all of us to share our views and opinions on significant decisions that will ultimately affect our families and community.
There are many ways to participate in the budget consultation process. You can provide feedback through public workshops (see below), an on-line survey, written submissions, by email to wpgbudget@mnp.ca or by phone to a comment line at 1.877.780.8683.
Public Workshops:
There are six public workshops being held as follows:
Tuesday, June 18,
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Highbury School, St. Vital
99 Highbury Road
Wednesday, June 19
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Victoria Community Club, Fort Garry
80 Derek Street
Saturday, June 22
12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Buchanan Hall, Assiniboine West Recreation Association,
St. James-Assiniboia West
861 Buchanan Boulevard
Monday, June 24
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium
251 Donald Street
Wednesday, June 26
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Park City Community Centre, Transcona
115 Sanford Fleming Road
Thursday, June 27
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Garden City Community Centre, West Kildonan
725 Kingsbury Avenue
For more information about the budget consultation process, please click here.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Please share this information with your co-workers.
