Budget reaction

“I think it’s a lot of words, not a lot of action in this budget. We need 40 firefighters today, not over four years. When I heard it was over four years, that’s very disappointing.”

— Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt

“It is quite telling that the budget working group has been renamed the budget saving group. Saving who or what? They say they will save $20 million in vacancy management. How will leaving positions vacant mean better services? What about the ongoing understaffing issues that create unhealthy and unsafe working conditions?”

— Social Planning Council of Winnipeg executive director Kate Kehler

“It’s good that they’re creating new positions in the fire paramedic service for paramedics. We commend the province for stepping up and funding these community health positions to help the City of Winnipeg, but we definitely have concerns when there’s nearly 50 vacant positions in the paramedic service as it stands. We have concerns of how are they going to fill these positions?”

— Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union president Kyle Ross

“Overall, I think that it’s tough economic times, and Winnipeggers want to see services restored and improved upon. I think this is a budget that does move in the right direction in many aspects. Could it have gone further? Maybe it could have.”

— CUPE 500 president Gord Delbridge

“From our perspective, we’re happy to see that the projected funding for roads has been maintained. However, what we’re finding and we’re hearing from our industry is the cost of everything is going up, so the city is definitely not getting the same bang for its buck when it comes to that investment.”

— Manitoba Heavy Construction Association vice-president Felicia Wiltshire

“While we recognize the city is under fiscal constraints, this budget is underwhelming. We are pleased to see a bit of funding for improving public spaces downtown; however, we are disappointed there isn’t a greater focus on improving cleanliness, community safety and well-being. We hope to see a more visionary budget in the future, one that recognizes that investing in a vibrant and thriving downtown will benefit the entire city.”

— Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CEO Kate Fenske

“Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism appreciates the continued emphasis on economic development and competitiveness in the city’s 2026 budget. This sustained focus aligns strongly with our recently released strategy, which aims to boost Winnipeg’s competitiveness, elevate its global profile and advance our city together.”

— Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism president and CEO Ryan Kuffner

“The budget is more or less following what was forecast, and it’s not really adding things in. We recognize that the city has made improvements to active transportation over the past years, but if we do want to catch up, we need to really invest heavier.”

— Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe