Around city hall: wrongful conviction settlement, Route 90 widening, Transit on-request hours

City nears wrongful conviction settlement

City council’s most powerful committee has approved a $7-million settlement in lawsuits filed by three First Nations men who were wrongfully convicted of killing a restaurant worker in 1973.

On Tuesday, the executive policy committee voted in favour of the payment, pending city council approval.

Allan Woodhouse and Brian Anderson, members of Pinaymootang First Nation in the Interlake, were formally acquitted of the 1973 slaying of Ting Fong Chan in 2023 and filed lawsuits in Court of King’s Bench in 2024 over the miscarriage of justice.

Clarence Woodhouse, who was formally acquitted of the killing in October 2024, filed his lawsuit last February. A fourth convicted man, Russell Woodhouse, died in 2011.

Ashley Pledger, the city’s acting director of legal services, told EPC members that the provincial and federal governments will also pay settlements, but the details are not expected to be publicly released.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city’s public vote on the matter highlights its transparency.

“We have a public meeting with a public report, that members of the public can come and speak to in a very open and transparent way,” said Gillingham.

The federal justice minister has ordered the Manitoba Court of Appeal to review Russell Woodhouse’s conviction. That review has not yet occurred.

Route 90 overhaul moves ahead

Planning could ramp up next year on a massive project to widen Kenaston Boulevard, replace the St. James Bridges and upgrade the area’s sewer system.

The executive policy committee voted Tuesday to approve the megaproject that would widen Kenaston/ Route 90 to offer three lanes in each direction between Taylor and Ness avenues, to begin “no later than 2027.” The matter will move forward for a council vote.

City officials have said that planning work could lead construction to begin as early as 2028.

The full project is expected to cost $614 million, plus $143 million in interest, if the city funds it entirely through debt.

Expansion of Transit on-request service moves forward

Winnipeg Transit’s on-request service is poised to add more night-time hours.

On Tuesday, EPC voted in favour of the changes, pending final council approval. Extended service hours for 10 on-request routes would take effect on Dec. 14.

The proposed changes follow complaints that some Winnipeggers were left with no way home from work, school and other activities, after Winnipeg Transit implemented a new primary network on June 29.

A proposal to add more night-time hours to fixed transit routes is expected in November.