Groups pitch budget ideas at city hall

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This article was published 11/12/2020 (1907 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers came out by the dozens Friday to offer their wish-lists for the city’s 2021 budget, including one group that accused city hall of being Grinch-like with its spending plan.

More than 50 delegates signed up to make funding requests to alter the preliminary budget.

Before the meeting, the group Budget for All set up a large painting of a cartoon Grinch in front of the City Hall Christmas tree. The Grinch’s sack was placed alongside a pile of “gifts” labelled Transit, Parks and Libraries, among other services the group accuses the city of shortchanging.

Chantale Garand, a member of Budget for All, said the display is meant to draw attention to excessive spending on police and roads, to the detriment of other services.

The preliminary 2021 budget earmarks $301 million for police operations and $152 million for road renewal.

“They’re choosing to defund things in favour of cops and concrete again,” said Garand.

She said the city should divert 10 per cent of police spending, or about $30 million, to other services.

The city also heard requests for funding increases to support the arts, active transportation, Winnipeg Transit and organizations that help vulnerable Winnipeggers.

Representatives of Ka Ni Kanichihk, an Indigenous-led group working to address the causes of homelessness, substance abuse and poverty, asked council for $500,000 over the next two years. It said the money would support a $6.2-million expansion of its building at 455 McDermot Ave.

Spokesperson Mary Jane Brownscombe said that would allow the organization to support 1,500 people, up from 700, and add space for job skills programs, training and new daycare spots.

“I’m here to ask the city to invest in a critical infrastructure project that is absolutely essential to reconciliation for Indigenous women and their families in our city,” said Brownscombe.

Mayor Brian Bowman said he’s open to some budget changes before council votes on it Dec. 16, but he noted he generally stands by the current spending plan.

“I think this is a balanced budget update that responds to the needs of the city and our citizens in the middle of a global pandemic… but we’ll be open-minded about what we hear,” said Bowman.

The mayor defended road renewal spending as a way to create jobs as the local economy recovers from COVID-19.

He also said he wouldn’t support a 10 per cent cut to the police budget.

“We have to be responsible. We have to make sure that when you call 911, there is someone to answer the call,” said Bowman.

The mayor said it’s “unlikely” the city would be able to grant Ka Ni Kanichihk’s request. He suggested the organization deserves more funding from the provincial government.

Bowman noted city council recently approved $150,000 in each of the next four years to support Ka Ni Kanichihk’s 24/7 safe space.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga