Never mind what divides voters and politicians of Winnipeg – what policies can everyone get behind and support when the next council is elected? That good question was posed by a listener, wondering whether any of the candidates have struck on an idea or two that qualify. The top of mind answer was yes, such…
What’s Old is New Again; Time to Revive RAG’s in Winnipeg
When the NDP government of Ed Schreyer declared Winnipeg would become “Unicity” in 1971, and surrounding municipalities would be rolled into a centralized administration, part and parcel of the Community Committee system was something called Resident Advisory Groups, or RAGs. Now, the idea has been resurrected by Charleswood-Tuxedo candidate Kevin Klein who pledged to create…
Marty Gold Asks: Why Would Participatory Democracy Irk Brian Bowman?
A faux media controversy this weekend about which residents signed the nomination papers of challenger Jenny Motkaluk gave Mayor Brian Bowman a chance to show his contempt for a basic democratic principle – voters helping people get their name on the ballot so the public can hear issues debated, instead of watching incumbents win by…
Winnipeg Watchdog Says Special Tax Breaks Hurt Schools
While the Mayor and the Premier can expediently cut a deal to ride the ‘Jets are cool, downtown’s alive and well’ wave and backstop True North Square, it seems the Winnipeg School Board got its budget throat cut without even being asked if they prefer a sharp or a dull blade do the cutting. One…
Liberal Leader Wants True North Square Tax Break for “luxury housing” Revoked
WINNIPEG – Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says that provincial tax breaks totalling $10M for True North Square should be scrapped. A Liberal Party statement says if the City is going to waive the Tax Incremental Financing requirement that 10% of the units be set at affordable market rents, “Pallister’s public funding of luxury living…
Fort Rouge Sidewalk Poll Helping Harvest Fill Hampers
A home in East Fort Rouge is using the civic campaign to generate food donations for families in the community with a 2018 CAST-A-CAN Election Poll. The front lawn of 276 Maplewood at Casey, kitty-corner from Ecole Riverview School, has set up bins with portraits of the Mayoral candidates taped on, asking that a donated…
The Winnipeg Watchdog Delves Into the Mystery of the Garbage Hill Sign
The speed of city crew to dismantle an 11 letter sign mounted on a hilltop opened the eyes of a lot of Winnipeg voters this week. As art installations go, GARBAGEHILL was simple, and it was beautiful. It made people laugh, it made them talk, it made them proud, and now- it’s made them unite.…
Winnipeg Watchdog Marty Gold is Asking Who Knew What & When at Hydro
Recently we heard disturbing news that complaints regarding sexual abuse and racist behavior towards First Nations communities affected by Manitoba Hydro development projects, were repeatedly ignored for decades. What we did not hear about, is who, specificially, might have been reasonably expected to know about the claims of abusive conduct, or have been responsible to…
Police Association Blasts Bowman & Councillors as Cause of Problems
The police union leadership told a town hall pointed to a negligent attitude by Mayor Brian Bowman and councillors as a major cause of the 911 emergency call response problems facing Winnipeg. The town hall was convened by Charleswood-Tuxedo council candidate Kevin Klein, who cited feedback while campaigning door-to-door that residents fear property and violent…
Winnipeg Watchdog, Marty Gold, Interviews Dean Koshelanyk
After one term as Trustee for Ward 9 in the Winnipeg School Division, Dean Koshelanyk is seeking to step up to City Council, in a seat where the incumbant is retiring. In this 15 minute podcast, he explains his basic platform running for election in Point Douglas: common sense. As the oddly-shaped ward sprawls from…