Markus Chambers

Addressing homelessness in Winnipeg

I wish to start by wishing everyone the very best of the holiday season, hoping that 2023 brings much happiness, health, prosperity.

Let’s support one another in this difficult time

I wish to start by wishing everyone the very best of the holiday season, hoping that 2022 brings much happiness, health, prosperity and much needed travel when appropriate.

The Province of Manitoba introduced new health restrictions which came into effect on Dec. 21, 2021. These restrictions are in place until Jan. 11, 2022 with further review as circumstances dictate. The Omicron variant now in every province in Canada has forced the hands of every provincial government to enact enhanced restrictions at this critical time as the transmissibility rate of this strain spreads much quicker than the previous Delta variant. 

Although many residents anticipated a relatively normal holiday season, the additional restrictions have placed us where we were at this time last year (although larger family gatherings are allowed this season).

The new restrictions and uncertainty of how they will affect us, as well as when this will all end, impacts our mental health and wellbeing. If you are feeling overwhelmed, there are resources available to help including:

Let’s support one another in this difficult time

I wish to start by wishing everyone the very best of the holiday season, hoping that 2022 brings much happiness, health, prosperity and much needed travel when appropriate.

The Province of Manitoba introduced new health restrictions which came into effect on Dec. 21, 2021. These restrictions are in place until Jan. 11, 2022 with further review as circumstances dictate. The Omicron variant now in every province in Canada has forced the hands of every provincial government to enact enhanced restrictions at this critical time as the transmissibility rate of this strain spreads much quicker than the previous Delta variant.  

Although many residents anticipated a relatively normal holiday season, the additional restrictions have placed us where we were at this time last year (although larger family gatherings are allowed this season).

The new restrictions and uncertainty of how they will affect us, as well as when this will all end, impacts our mental health and wellbeing. If you are feeling overwhelmed, there are resources available to help including:

Expanding our sports and recreation offerings

Our city’s community centres will be experiencing a renaissance as we begin efforts to re-open with vaccination uptake increasing. 

The shutdown of our sports fields and community centres over the last 18 months has had a devastating effect on our physical health and well-being, as well as our mental health. Our children and youth need outlets to build life skills while remaining physically active.

When my family emigrated to Canada from England in the late ’60s, my father asked local residents what they did to keep children occupied and active. The answer was hockey in the winter and soccer in the summer. That was the regime my brother and I had throughout our formative years; one I maintained until just recently.

As our city continues to grow through immigration, it is important to embrace other sports that are enjoyed around the world, that may not be part of our current sports offerings. Over the last five to 10 years, I have noticed an increase in sports such as disc golf, beach volleyball, cricket and skateboarding. 

Expanding our sports and recreation offerings

Our city’s community centres will be experiencing a renaissance as we begin efforts to re-open with vaccination uptake increasing.  

The shutdown of our sports fields and community centres over the last 18 months has had a devastating affect on our physical health and well-being ,as well as our mental health. Our children and youth need outlets to build life skills while remaining physically active.

When my family emigrated to Canada from England in the late ’60s, my father asked local residents what they did to keep children occupied and active. The answer was hockey in the winter and soccer in the summer. That was the regime my brother and I had throughout our formative years; one I maintained until just recently.

As our city continues to grow through immigration, it is important to embrace other sports that are enjoyed around the world, that may not be part of our current sports offerings. Over the last five to 10 years, I have noticed an increase in sports such as disc golf, beach volleyball, cricket and skateboarding.  

A message to 2021 graduates

I would like to take this opportunity to offer special congratulations to all our graduating students in St. Norbert-Seine River ward.

Regardless of the challenges and sacrifices brought on as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to recognize what an important accomplishment and milestone this is for you, your family, your friends and your community. I hope that as you go forward in life, you will reflect on your secondary school experience and enter this next phase with more confidence and less doubt.

At this stage of your life, it is very important that you take charge of your future, and that you are an active participant in the planning of your future. Set goals and accomplish tasks that allow you to measure progress and make any adjustments along the way. If there is one thing that this past 18 months has taught us - it is the unpredictability of life. Setting goals for yourself gives you purpose and allows you to stay focused. Do not let anyone or anything deter you from achieving them.

As you get older and accept more responsibility, it will become increasingly important where you choose to focus your time and energy as it will directly impact what comes to you later in life. Volunteering in your community will always yield positive results for you and your community. Volunteering now is an investment in your future that will inevitably provide you with new skills and a network of like-minded individuals who see the value in connecting with one’s community.

Historical perspective is always changing

The debate about removing historical names from streets, statues and other place markers has loudly reached the floor of Winnipeg city council since the revelation of the mass graves of 215 Indigenous children were discovered on the grounds of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in British Columbia, at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Names such as Bishop Grandin, Adolphus Egerton Ryerson, Hector-Louis Langevin and other prominent figures who advocated for the creation of residential schools are being challenged on the basis of their role in our country’s history. The call to remove their names from buildings, streets and other place markers is not new, but the voices are now amplified and we hear the anger and outrage behind the cries for change and justice.

The City of Winnipeg is committed to engaging with community organizations, particularly Indigenous groups, to move forward on our journey of reconciliation.

 I was fortunate to be elected to council when we approved the establishment of the Welcoming Winnipeg Initiative to assist in the City of Winnipeg’s journey towards reconciliation.  

Greenspace key to healthy, vibrant Winnipeg

Over the next couple of weeks, council will be debating the proposed OurWinnipeg bylaw 2045.

OurWinnipeg is the City’s development document, which sets a vision for the next 25 years. An important component of these documents is land use, including greenspace and major open spaces, and the City’s plans for land as our population grows steadily toward one million people.

Why is greenspace and the consideration of biodiversity so important to our city? Biodiversity is the rich variety of life on earth. There is variety in genes, variety in species and variety in ecosystems. Much like a spider’s web, everything is interconnected.

Winnipeg’s local ecosystem requires a healthy balance of living things to thrive and build resiliency. As an example, plants require plenty of sunlight and rain as well as healthy soil full of nutrients. Bees and other insects feed on the plants, helping pollinate and make seeds. Local wildlife animal such as deer, rabbits, and grasshoppers eat the plants as well and return nutrients to the soil making it a healthy place for plants to grow and thrive.

Green space key to healthy, vibrant Winnipeg

Over the next couple of weeks, council will be debating the proposed OurWinnipeg bylaw 2045.

OurWinnipeg is the City’s development document, which sets a vision for the next 25 years. An important component of these documents is land use, including green space and major open spaces, and the City’s plans for land as our population grows steadily toward one million people.

Why is green space and the consideration of biodiversity so important to our city? Biodiversity is the rich variety of life on earth. There is variety in genes, variety in species and variety in ecosystems. Much like a spider’s web, everything is interconnected.

Winnipeg’s local ecosystem requires a healthy balance of living things to thrive and build resiliency. As an example, plants require plenty of sunlight and rain as well as healthy soil full of nutrients. Bees and other insects feed on the plants, helping pollinate and make seeds. Local wildlife such as deer, rabbits, and grasshoppers eat the plants as well and return nutrients to the soil making it a healthy place for plants to grow and thrive.

Together we can build a safer community

The emergence of the warmer spring weather (last week’s now notwithstanding) has hastened many of the activities associated with being outdoors.

I have been monitoring social media and have noted an increase in reports of property crime. Unfortunately, it is inevitable that all areas of the city of Winnipeg will see a rise in property related crime throughout the spring and summer months.

Winnipeggers want to feel safe and secure in their homes and neighbourhoods. It’s essential that we all work together to secure and maintain not only the perception of safety but the reality of safety for our families.

Recognizing the potential within the community to foster safety and well-being we must work closely with members of the Winnipeg Police Service to identify current and emerging threats to community safety and security to establish the first step in creating effective strategies.  

Building safe communities for seniors

Building safe and welcoming communities for seniors to age-in-place is a sign of a healthy community.

Assuming there is an availability of affordable housing options and community resources, the vast majority of Canadians would prefer to remain in their homes or condominiums and find sources for the necessary services required to maintain the standard of living to which they are accustomed.

The most common responses in surveys of seniors and their desire to age-in-place indicate that they feel safer in their home because of familiarity and that they would like to continue to have access to nearby services. 

Residents in the St. Norbert–Seine River ward may have noticed an increased number of multi-family dwellings that have been developed over the years along major transportation corridors such as St. Mary’s Road, St. Anne’s Road, Pembina Highway and Dakota Street.

Building safe communities for seniors

Building safe and welcoming communities for seniors to age-in-place is a sign of a healthy community.

Assuming  there is an availability of affordable housing options and community resources, the vast majority of Canadians would prefer to remain in their homes or condominiums and source the necessary services required to maintain the standard of living to which they are accustomed.

The most common responses in surveys of seniors and their desire to age-in-place indicate that they feel safer in their home because of familiarity and that they would like to continue to access nearby services.  

Residents in the St. Norbert – Seine River Ward may  have notices an increased number of multi-family dwellings that have been developed over the years along major transportation corridors such as St. Mary’s Road, St. Anne’s Road, Pembina Highway and Dakota Street.  Many of these accommodations are geared to a 55-plus lifestyle and are close to many amenities such as passive parks, grocery stores and shops and professional services. Developing multi-family dwellings along high-frequency transit networks also means there will be less reliance on personal vehicles for transport around the city.

Transportation and growth in Winnipeg

Winnipeg’s population has grown over the last 10 to 15 years, based largely on immigration to our province.  

While the success of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program has helped to fill labour skill shortages and diversify our communities, with it comes greater opportunities and challenges for transportation. With projected growth over the next two decades, we must seek innovative and proactive transportation solutions to meet the needs of Winnipeg’s current and future economic and population growth.

Transportation has been one of the focal issues of our city’s vision for the future. The Transportation Master Plan 2050 will study our future transportation needs by researching and consulting a wide swath of stakeholders. There are a variety of considerations to address including safety, accessibility, efficiency and the environment to name a few.

Winnipeggers’ primary mode of travel is by private motor vehicle, a trend that began as growth and design of our city spread our communities into suburbia. As the city grows, corresponding commute times are likely to increase, while our aging road infrastructure will deteriorate at a faster pace.  It is critical that Winnipeg finds a different means of accommodating more people and more travel demand before growth outpaces resources and the ability to respond to the needs of our residents.  

The importance of public consultation

The creation of public policy starts with addressing a specific issue that requires direction or a principle to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes.

A policy is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by a governance body within an organization such as City Council.

The development of public policy begins with involving the public and gauging their desired outcome to creation or adjustments to public policy. Similarly, private industry uses focus groups to solicit opinions and reactions to a variety of products they plan to bring to market.

While the development of public policy is and should be based largely on information that is evidence-based and researched, it should also be supported by efforts to strengthen the policy capacity through robust discussion and consultation.

Public consultation important

The creation of public policy starts with addressing a specific issue that requires direction or a principle to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes.

A policy is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by a governance body within an organization such as City Council.

The development of public policy begins with involving the public and gauging their desired outcome to creation or adjustments to public policy. Similarly, private industry uses focus groups to solicit opinions and reactions to a variety of products they plan to bring to market.

While the development of public policy is and should be based largely on information that is evidence-based and researched, it should also be supported by efforts to strengthen the policy capacity through robust discussion and consultation.

2020 in review: it’s been exhausting

Actually, to say that 2020 has been exhausting  is likely the understatement of the year. Winnipeg and the world have been in the grips of a global pandemic which has defined the news narrative of the past 12 months. 

March was certainly a time for caution as the uncertainty we experienced when our first cases of the virus were diagnosed resulted in the province shutting down all non-essential contact, including businesses, services, schools, and social activity. When Manitoba experienced low transmission of the virus we had reason for cautious optimism.

Through the spring and summer months and as restrictions eased, Winnipeggers began to explore their city and province, discovering hidden gems that have been taken for granted over the years. Not a week passed where a new vista was not reported by media and many flocked to enjoy.

This past fall brought concerns and worry to many Winnipeggers as children returned to school and medical experts warned about the reality of a second wave of infections. While numbers through September were still low, it did not take long before that wave hit, in unprecedented numbers.