City of Winnipeg eyes bylaw fines, enforcement

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This article was published 04/01/2024 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg wants to get tough with bylaw-breakers.

A report, prepared for the city’s public works committee meeting next week, proposes increasing fines for infractions of street bylaws, and points out current fines aren’t high enough to make people follow the rules or deter unsafe driving.

Proposed changes involve scrapping the early-payment discount for 17 right-of-way violations and introducing tiered penalties.

“We are looking at changing the penalties for these related violations,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, chair of the committee, on Thursday.

“So many people still break them, and we think that the costs are too low to be effective.”

“So many people still break them, and we think that the costs are too low to be effective.”–Coun. Janice Lukes

In one case highlighted by the report, the cost for a permit so a private contractor can block a sidewalk and lane of traffic for construction is about $128.

Under current penalties, doing so without a permit involves a $250 fine, or $150 if paid early, meaning some contractors might try their luck, as the difference between the permit and getting caught is only $22.

In another instance, drivers who let garbage or other waste fall from their vehicle would be fined $250. Currently, the fine is $100, but is reduced to $75 if paid early.

There are currently only four special constables assigned as bylaw enforcement officers who hand out tickets for such infractions, meaning enforcement is lax.

Lukes said she’d like to ask public works staff to report back on the number of infractions and the revenue generated under the proposed new amendments to determine whether more officers are needed.

“Do I think that’s enough? Absolutely not… we’re going to be talking about this in public works,” she said.

Chris Lorenc, president and CEO of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, said he sympathizes with the city’s dilemma.

“If the city has concluded that the existing regime and structure of bylaws is insufficient to persuade against misconduct, then I think it has every right to try to induce conduct by increasing fines,” said Lorenc, who was a city councillor from 1983 to 1992.

“Because it will never have enough bylaw officers to try to enforce, you should be able to rely on common sense and good judgment of everybody in society to respect our societal rules and laws.”

Lorenc said the city has worked to strike a balance between enforcing rules on both ends of the construction zone.

“Previous governments have doubled speeding fines, there’s been accelerated photo radar around construction zones.”–Chris Lorenc

“Previous governments have doubled speeding fines, there’s been accelerated photo radar around construction zones,” he said. “So it applies both ways.”

While the public works committee will discuss the recommendations on Tuesday, the final decision is up to city council.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca