Twelve takeaways from the City of Winnipeg budget

Winnipeg’s preliminary 2026 budget includes plenty of road construction projects, expanded late-night bus service, extra firefighters and paramedics, and new safety measures for the downtown Millennium Library.

The city is proposing a 3.5 per cent property tax hike, while promising to keep combined water and sewer rate increases lower than originally proposed.

Winnipeg residents will get a chance to give feedback on the spending blueprint, which was tabled Friday, before council holds a final vote Dec. 17. Here are 12 highlights:

“Largest” road renewal plan in city history

Mayor Scott Gillingham asked drivers for patience in 2026 ahead of what is projected to be another busy road construction season.

The city is allocating $156 million next year for regional and local road construction projects as part of a $1.1-billion, six-year plan that was touted as the largest renewal program in Winnipeg’s history.

Corydon Avenue (between Kenaston and Shaftesbury boulevards), and Abinojii Mikanah (between Pembina Highway and Waverley Street) are among the upcoming projects mentioned in budget documents.

Capital spending soars

A six-year capital project plan was described by city hall as the most ambitious in Winnipeg’s history.

The city plans to spend $3.8 billion over six years, including $1.2 billion in 2026.

The plan’s critical piece is the Main Street sewage treatment plant, with next year’s budget covering one-third ($545 million, borrowed) of the cost of a new nutrient removal facility.

Property tax hike

Using the city’s example, a 3.5 per cent property tax increase — down from last year’s 5.95 per cent hike — will add $75 to the annual bill for a home assessed at $371,000.

The tax rise will generate $26.6 million in additional revenue for the city ($19 million for the operating budget in 2026 and 2027, and $7.6 million for costs including streets, lanes, sidewalks, bridges, a pedestrian and cycling program, and tree replacement).

The frontage levy is unchanged at $6.95 per foot.

Water, sewer and garbage rates going up

Combined water and sewer rate increases are being held to 2.8 per cent in 2026 and 4.2 per cent in 2027.

The residential annual bill will rise from $1,580 in 2025 to $1,624 in 2026 and $1,692 in 2027.

Gillingham said the increases are “dramatically” less than the original proposals of 28.5 per cent and 17.3 per cent.

The residential waste management fee will rise by $10 to $264 in 2026.

More firefighters, paramedics

Winnipeg plans to hire 40 firefighters over four years to create a pool intended to cover absences at stations across the city.

The city will add 11.5 full-time equivalent paramedic positions thanks to provincial funding.

A “wellness clinic,” staffed by health professionals, will be phased in next year to help address Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service employees’ physical and mental-health injuries amid high levels of overtime, burnout and Workers Compensation Board claims.

The WFPS budget is rising by about $8 million to $262.7 million.

An additional 18 police officers, funded in 2025, will also join. The police budget has increased by $18 million to $370.4 million.

Louise Bridge, Lagimodiere upgrades

After some councillors recently called for the 115-year-old Louise Bridge to be replaced, the budget allocates $8 million for rehabilitation in 2026.

It is part of almost $42 million over six years. The two-lane bridge was closed from May 23 to Aug. 22 for repairs.

Winnipeg will also spend $21 million in 2026 — part of the $38.8-million cost — to overhaul Lagimodiere Boulevard’s twin overpasses at Concordia Avenue.

Business tax unchanged

Winnipeg’s business tax, unchanged since 2020, is being held at 4.84 per cent.

The small business tax credit threshold of $47,500 is at the same level as 2023

Call wait times targeted

Three full-time equivalent positions are being added to the water and waste utility billing centre to reduce call wait times.

Gillingham said a target hasn’t been set — the city just wants to cut wait times.

“I don’t mean to be facetious. They’re high, we want them to be low,” he said. “We’re hearing from residents — I don’t blame them — they’re frustrated because they sit on hold for a long time with the water and waste department.”

Millennium Library safety

The downtown Millennium Library will undergo $2.5 million in safety upgrades in 2026, which Gillingham said will focus on the third and fourth floors.

The fourth floor temporarily closed earlier this year over safety concerns following one suicide and the threat of another. It reopened with metal construction fences on the third and fourth floors.

Gillingham said he has not yet seen a design for the upgrades.

More downtown cash

The city is distributing funds to various projects or organizations in downtown Winnipeg.

They include $7 million in 2026 and 2027 for the Portage Place redevelopment, and a $1.9-million grant in 2026 plus $1.5 million in 2027 (roads capital) for the transformation of the former Bay building, known as Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn (“it is visible” in Ojibwa).

Other plans include $1 million for new heritage lighting.

Late-night bus service

Winnipeg Transit will expand late-night service on 11 fixed bus routes and in 10 on-request zones based, in part, on riders’ feedback to the new network that rolled out in June.

The adult cash fare is increasing by 10 cents to $3.45.

The budget outlines 34 full-time equivalent positions for the expanded service, and $239 million for 143 new buses over six years to help expand and modernize the fleet.

Poverty reduction and youth programs

City hall will give $1 million to youth programs in high-poverty areas, plus a $150,000 grant to the YMCA-YWCA for programs aimed at downtown youth.

A further $1 million will go toward 24-7 safe spaces, and $550,000 for 24-hour mobile outreach services for homeless people.

The city said $23.7 million, or one per cent, of 2026 operating expenses, and $2.8 million, or 0.2 per cent, of capital costs are related to poverty-reduction efforts, including everything from Transit discounts to park upgrades.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca