Hands off city money, mayor tells province

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This article was published 12/02/2021 (2067 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mayor Brian Bowman is lashing out against a provincial push to divert millions earmarked for Winnipeg Transit into green projects throughout the province, deeming the move “offensive” and urging the senior government to back off the plan.

“For the provincial government to now be attempting to redirect funds intended specifically for Winnipeg, so that they can distribute to ridings outside of Winnipeg is, frankly, offensive. I’m not sure what this provincial government has against public transit, but it’d be great to have their support,” said Bowman.

The province has confirmed it wants the city to approve a $204-million transfer of potential federal funding to free up that cash for green projects around the province. The money has been earmarked for Winnipeg Transit as part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

If left in ICIP’s public transit stream, that funding could trigger about $534 million of total transit funding, should all three governments agree to an ICIP deal.

Bowman says that cash is needed to support a Winnipeg Transit master plan, which is expected next month, but the province has confirmed within the past week that it’s still seeking the transfer.

In an emailed statement, a Manitoba Municipal Relations spokesperson said the funds should be transferred to help meet a federal deadline to allocate all ICIP funds by December. Otherwise, the transit funding could lapse before the city can claim it, the statement indicated.

“It is important to note that no submissions for funding under the public transit infrastructure stream of ICIP were submitted to the province by the City of Winnipeg… ICIP submissions of the dollar value contemplated by Mayor Bowman would require both provincial and federal Treasury Board approval, processes which require an appropriate level of review and due diligence,” the statement said.

The spokesperson added that the mayor wrote to the province about his concerns on Thursday and “can expect a full, formal response through the proper channels in due course.”

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga