Improving all aspects of Winnipeg is on the agenda

East Winnipeg

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/01/2025 (640 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Browaty, who is chair of the standing committee on finance and economic development, added that a “deep dive” into city departmental budgets will be coming up in the new year in order to “find savings.”

“That will be an important exercise,” he said.

Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) said that the City of Winnipeg is facing a number of serious challenges heading into the new year, not least among them public safety and a mental health crisis.

“This mayor has promised to do something about it, but nobody has the resources to do so,” Wyatt said.

“We’re seeing a city where people are voting with their feet and choosing to leave the city. I’m concerned that we’re teetering on a fence, we can go one way or another. We have to turn this around.”

On a personal note, Wyatt added that this past year he was diagnosed with chronic heart failure, a condition which has stabilized following extensive testing and treatment.

“My own personal challenge is to take care of that. I’m working with a cardiologist to deal with this matter,” said Wyatt, who just turned 55.

“I have complete sympathy for anyone dealing with our health-care system right now. It’s a total mess.”

Looking ahead to the new year, Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) is pleased to have pushed for an upcoming hearing about infill housing guidelines, which will be held in June. He’s also held his own town hall meetings on the issue.

“I still have an open mind on the issue,” emphasized Mayes, who has been a city councillor since 2011, after winning a byelection to replace former councillor Gord Steeves.

“I think people have concerns, and I don’t want people coming up to me 10 years from now saying we didn’t address this. This should be a democratic process.”

On a personal level, Mayes said he finally hopes to do some cross-country skiing for the first time in around a decade, noting his wife is a skier.

“This seems like an achievable goal,” Mayes said, adding he also bought a bicycle in 2024.