MLAs seeking affordable office space fill gap with community centres, coffee shops

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This article was published 18/01/2024 (674 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rising rents aren’t just putting the squeeze on residential tenants — some Winnipeg MLAs who can’t find affordable office space are being forced to meet with constituents in community centres and shopping mall food courts.

“It’s been a bit of an adventure,” said rookie MLA Mike Moroz (River Heights), who sets up shop Friday afternoons at Crescentwood Community Centre.

With a monthly constituency office rent allowance of $1,620, Moroz said he hasn’t been able to find anything affordable, appropriate, centrally located and wheelchair accessible.

Moroz is not alone in his search, said NDP caucus chairman Mike Moyes (Riel).

Radisson MLA Jelynn Dela Cruz has been connecting with constituents at Kildonan Place and MLA JD Devgan (McPhillips) does the same at Garden City Community Centre. Meantime, MLA Nellie Kennedy (Assiniboia) has secured office space and expects to move into it in a few weeks, Moyes added.

In affluent River Heights, Moroz said rents for suitable office space start at around $3,800 a month.

“There are market rates and we’re subject to those as is everyone else,” said Moroz, who also meets constituents at coffee shops and other public spaces around River Heights.

“I’m sure the people at Starbucks at Corydon and Stafford think it is my office,” the MLA joked.

“I’m sure the people at Starbucks at Corydon and Stafford think it is my office.”–MLA Mike Moroz

He wanted to also have a set time and place — “something predictable” — where constituents knew they could find him, so he booked a room at the Corydon Avenue centre from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday afternoons.

Meanwhile, he’s continuing the hunt for office space.

“There are a number of projects that are in development,” Moroz said. “We’re going to do whatever we need to do to properly represent the community.”

Based on the office space allowance of $1,620 a month, a Manitoba MLA would be looking at an office of around 845 square feet — which isn’t in ample supply in Moroz’s constituency, said commercial real estate agent Rennie Zegalski.

“It would be hard to find a smaller office, which is typically what an MLA needs, for those rents — especially in River Heights,” he said.

“It is a struggle, but it’s not impossible. In some areas, it might be easier. River Heights might be one of the harder ones.”

Constituency office important

A constituency office is an important part of democratic representation, said Manitoba political expert Paul Thomas.

“A visible presence within the community is one way that MLAs put a human face on the governing process — a recognizable public figure whom citizens can approach with problems, often after unsatisfactory dealings with the bureaucracy,” the University of Manitoba political studies professor emeritus said Thursday.

“Citizens who access the services of MLAs through such offices tend to have a more positive view of the role of their elected representative, in terms of contributing to policy development and acting as a kind of ombudsman.”

Moroz said he could take funds from his constituency assistant budget — $2,250 biweekly he uses to pay three staff part-time — or constituency allowance and put it toward higher rent, but that would take away from services provided to constituents.

Meantime, Moyes said he feels “lucky” he was able to find office space in his Winnipeg district for a little more than $2,300 a month. The former tax office on St. Anne’s Road has beige walls and needs some renovations to make it a more welcoming space — and that will have to come out of his budget, as well.

“It just makes it a challenge overall,” said Moyes.

Rent allowance changes discussed

The NDP caucus chairman — who sits on the Legislative Assembly Management Commission that oversees the financial management of the assembly and establishes budgets and administrative policies for assembly offices — said there have been informal discussions among members about changing constituency office rent allowances.

“This isn’t a partisan issue,” Moyes said. “It’s about MLAs being able to do their job diligently and being able to represent people. I think the PC caucus would agree with that.”

The PC caucus said it was not prepared to comment Thursday.

The lone Liberal MLA, Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park), said she’s moved into new office in a new building that’s $1,500 a month. It’s one room of 458 square feet, with shared common areas, including a bathroom and waiting room.

The Liberal leader said she’s satisfied with it, but is open to the commission potentially reviewing rent allowances for constituency offices.

“I think it definitely should be discussed,” said Lamoureux. “As the cost of living continues to go up, we need to make sure the budget allows for the services we’re offering.”

“Maybe this keeps them in touch with what ‘regular folks’ are experiencing, but it may also impact their capacity to serve constituents.”–Paul Thomas

Salaries and benefits for MLAs are reviewed periodically by an independent commissioner because MLAs fear a backlash for voting themselves increases, said Thomas.

“In a period of high inflation, MLAs may find their rent and staffing allowances do not go as far as they once did,” he said.

“Maybe this keeps them in touch with what ‘regular folks’ are experiencing, but it may also impact their capacity to serve constituents.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca