Councillor decries city decision to hold single in-person public hearing on contentious zoning-change proposal

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This article was published 17/03/2025 (219 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Security concerns have been cited as a reason why the city planned just one in-person public consultation session on a proposal for sweeping zoning changes.

Municipal officials have noted safety issues as a reason to limit such meetings on major changes, along with some sentiment that one session is enough, said Coun. Brian Mayes.

The proposed changes are poised to allow up to four housing units to be built on a single lot in most residential areas, along with four-storey buildings within 800 metres of frequent transit. They would also remove a requirement for developers to complete a city application process and public hearing to get such projects approved.

Mayes (St. Vital) said some “pretty agitated people” attended previous information sessions on zoning changes meant to attract multi-family housing near malls and along transportation corridors. However, he argued more public consultation is still needed now.

“We have security concerns. (But) if the attitude is this stuff is so inflammatory that we’re just going to push it through and then later councillors can deal with it… maybe we should be (more) open about it. Maybe we should actually let the public have some time to digest the debate and see it, instead of having one meeting downtown,” said Mayes.

So far, the city has planned three public information sessions, including one drop-in, in-person open house from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the convention centre. Virtual meetings were also scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, as well as 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Residents can register by emailing infillhousing@winnipeg.ca

A public hearing for city council to hear feedback and vote on the rules is expected in late spring.

Mayes is raising a motion that calls for the city to hold 15 in-person public consultations (one in each city ward) on the changes, which will be debated at the March 27 city council meeting.

“Just because people have concerns, you shouldn’t be demonizing people before we even have the meetings.”– City councillor Brian Mayes

“This (zoning change) is amending 21 different local area plans… (with) no public meetings in any of those locations…. Let’s have more public meetings,” he said. “If there’s security issues, let’s hire security guards.”

Supporters expect the extensive zoning changes to trigger more housing construction, while others warn they will reduce public input, green space and the tree canopy.

Mayes said he thinks some concern might be linked to crowding, noting a public hearing for Plan 20-50: A Regional Plan for the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region attracted hundreds of people to a Niverville venue in 2024, exceeding the building’s capacity and resulting in the meeting being postponed.

The hearings later ceased after the provincial government introduced legislation that will allow municipalities opt in or out of the plan.

Mayes said some people also complained that participants have shared conspiracy theories at previous zoning-change consultations.

He said he hosted three town halls in November on the current zoning proposal, and there were no security issues.

“Just because people have concerns, you shouldn’t be demonizing people before we even have the meetings,” he said.

However, another city councillor said a focus on safety is heightened for all public events amid a divisive political climate, and the level of concern is no different for the zoning changes.

“(At) any big event, we always ensure there is security…. We’re living in a pretty weird world right now. Some people get edgy and some don’t,” said Coun. Janice Lukes. “When you host an event for the public, you want the public (to) be safe.”

Lukes (Waverley West) said the convention centre was selected for this week’s open house due to its security, central location, space for large crowds and ample parking.

“We don’t know how many people will come out (for an issue that is) citywide,” she said.

In an email, city spokesman Kalen Qually said security and a goal to accommodate as many participants as possible were both factors in scheduling the open house there.

“The three virtual sessions will be more easily accessible to a greater number of participants, while providing all attendees the chance to ask questions of city planners about the amendments,” wrote Qually.

He noted security will be present at the in-person event Wednesday, as it has been at “many other” past open houses.

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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter

Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.

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