Let's Talk Winnipeg!

Once again, an idea brought forward by a member of City Council who is not one of the Mayor's Executive Policy Councillors (EPC) dies with no debate, no discussion, no questions, no inquiries, and no collaboration. Klein shares a recent example of a composting tax-credit idea that died and the EPC alternative, if and when it is city-wide, may cost taxpayers more money. What was the Composting Tax-Credit Motion? Let's begin with a few organic waste “Did You Knows.” Solid Waste Collection Expenses - $25 Million per year Solid Waste Disposal Expenses - $15 Million per year Long Term Landfill Expenses not included Total Expense (Collection + Disposal) - $40 Million per year Total Garbage in 2020 – 195,000 Metric Tonnes 44% of Residential Garbage is Compostable Organics According to the Public Service, implementing the collection of organics would be very costly to taxpayers. I think people are paying more than enough and would welcome a new approach.Winnipeg has very ambitious green objectives, but we are doing little to achieve them. We can use funding from the green initiative reserve account to support the implementation and staffing. The concept is not new. The Mayor’s Executive Policy Committee Member’s approved the same thing two years ago for another internal position. I have received emails from residents in support of the concept. One has been compositing for 30-years. A few reminded me of a time when the City handed out free composting bins. At home composting can work in tandem with green bin collection. They can complement each other. They are not competing policies. My motion is not meant to override the current green bin pilot project. Like recycling, at home composting is just another tool in the toolbox. The motion is meant to be cost neutral. There should be no additional cost to the city. $1 million in rebates must equate to $1 million in cost savings in collection, disposal, and long-term dumping costs. That is why I am asking for a report back. We have been talking about organic waste collection for years at City Hall, and so far we only have a pilot project underway. If a resident makes the city more efficient, more environmentally friendly, reducing costs, making the city a better place to live then they should directly benefit from their efforts. I want to focus on results, getting things done for our City. I want to get things done.

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The Manitoba Government is providing $6.4 million to support survivors of sexual violence. The funding will support victims of crime, including proposals for new and expanded work with victims of crime, gender-based violence, or in response to missing and murdered indigenous women and girl’s inquiry recommendations. I have recently read a story written by a victim that moved me. A person close to me is a victim of sexual abuse, and I hear how afraid people are to speak. I can appreciate how difficult it must be for these individuals. It’s challenging for survivors of assaults and domestic violence to be vocal on their experiences and opinions in public forums, including with members of the public service, within legislative settings, and council or committee meetings. The lack of voice from survivors of assaults and domestic violence excludes a portion of the population from participation in critical democratic processes, influencing how the public service, police, and society view and deal with assaults and domestic violence. The City of Winnipeg already takes steps to remove barriers to accessing and participating in the democratic processes and governance of the City of Winnipeg in areas such as disabilities, age, newcomers, indigenous cultural practices, and French-language rights. An essential function of democracy is to give voice to those marginalized and silenced by current societal cultures and associated governance structures. Breaking down barriers to participation in the democratic process and civic governance is recognized to be beneficial to the City and society as a whole, and not only for the individuals facing the barriers. The City has developed an Accessibility Plan, last updated in 2019. The Accessibility Plan must be reviewed at least every two years under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, with a review required in 2021 For these reasons, I am asking the Executive Policy Committee to direct the Winnipeg Public Service to report back on a process to allow citizens who are survivors of assaults and sexual violence to remain anonymous when participating in the Council committee process. Once we have added this to our accessibility Plan, I will be advocating for the Winnipeg Police Board to follow suit and provide a safe place to be heard.

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I have concerns with the current Transit Master Plan. There are some significant financial questions not being answered. Approval of this plan would max the city's credit. There is a risk that we must consider. There should be a rapid transit route which on one bus connects Red River College's main campus to HSC / U of M to downtown to U of M main campus. Any transit plan not based on 100% electrification is insufficient. Was light rail transit considered? It was fifteen years ago. A Master Plan should move us forward and be functional twenty-five years from now, not just be more of the status quo. Finally, the Master Plan doesn't address a primary concern I hear from residents, using transit isn't safe. We recently saw reports of the protective transit screen breaking when a bottle was thrown at one. I have residents who called me about people refusing to wear masks while riding the bus. They are afraid for their health. Others have reported that people will take a shopping bag if they sit too close to a door. Others are afraid to use transit to attend events because of having to wait for a bus downtown at night. I realize nobody wants to speak about this, but someone has to. Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. We need to collect quality data to inform policy, direct investments, and plan appropriately. I will NOT spend over one billion dollars of resident's money on a master plan that is only half done and is something residents will continue to be afraid to use. That doesn't make any sense. Let's collect the data. Review the facts and focus on solutions that keep everyone safe.

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On April 1, 2021, the Main Street Project was forced to eliminate its daytime response service. The City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), and Winnipeg Fire, Paramedic Service (WFPS) all call the Main Street Project's Van Response Team to help an individual that WPS or WFPS are not suited to assist appropriately. The Main Street Project response service operated 24-hours a day until today when it lost partial funding. The outreach response van will only operate between midnight, and 7:00 am. When Main Street Project requested $400,000, City Council responded by directing the Public Service to provide a report. "Main Street does not charge the City of Winnipeg for their services. The cost of having WPS or WFPS respond will be three to four times higher than the $400,000 requested. I want to focus on results for Winnipeg, not more reports and delays," said Councillor Klein. While interviewing Jamil Mahood, Executive Director of Main Street Project, Klein, on behalf of the residents in Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood, donated $1,000 and challenged his council colleagues to match that amount. Klein said, "I'm trying to be a part of the solution because I worry a lot when I think about our city's future. The Main Street Project's response van is a good investment of city funds. In 2020 many of my council colleagues approved over $2 million for extra legal costs, "that was certainly not a good investment of city funds," said Klein.

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The union representing the paramedics and the firefighters have both asked to be separated. No politician is talking about it, openly. So, Councillor Klein shares what he has learned and believes you deserve to know.

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Not everything that happens at Winnipeg​ City Hall is reported by the media.​ Councillor Kevin Klein takes you inside City Hall and shares the real stories and decisions made with your money that should be talked more. This week, a Construction Zone that wasn't really a construction zone. Skyrocketing water and sewer bills. A Master Plan for who, really? And there's more.

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The City of Winnipeg arbitrarily added a $500 administrative fee for patio permits this year. The Manitoba Restaurant Association claims 10,000 restaurants have already closed in our province. The negative financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to put a burden on Winnipeg restaurants and families. Now the city has chosen to add to the financial stresses our small businesses are facing. Councillor Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) was not impressed with the added fees and will introduce a motion that will instead support these small family-owned restaurants in our community. Klein said, “this government has offered no plan to help re-launch our local economy, and that is unacceptable. Our community needs its leaders to take the lead developing a solid path forward. People want to feel confident this government has their best interest and future in mind. They want hope not more fees.” Klein will introduce a motion to forgive the cost of patio permits for restaurants this summer, including the elimination of the newly introduced Administrative fee of $500.00. Klein said, “this is a small gesture and is the least we can do to help each other as we return to a new normal. Whatever happened to the slogan, One with the strength of many? We need to help each other; we don’t need more businesses closing.” Klein questioned why this government doesn’t consider the impact of losing another 5,000 restaurants and 10,000 jobs would have on our city over the next few years. “I’m sure this government will say that there is a cost to all this, those costs are not tangible." said Klein. The staff are already working, these permits do not require hiring additional staff in any department. In fact, permits are down, so we have the time and resources to help our community members when they need it most, which is now.” "This government needs to be focussing on improving its service levels and partnership approach," said Klein. We have a government that sticks to the old school ways and political spin as directed and that's a fundamental problem at city hall. I would surround myself with the best people, not YES people."

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The City of WInnipeg has a monopoly on water and sewer service, and that has lead to dismal customer service levels and rates that are inching closure to your property tax bill.

This has to change. 

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For the last several months, businesses large and small have been planning. Considering options, determining the best path to take once the pandemic restrictions end. But not the City of Winnipeg. Not having a plan for our city is unacceptable. Our community needs its leaders to take the lead developing a solid path forward. There are questions that deserve answers. We need to be ready for when that day comes and it is coming. I want the City of Winnipeg to be the first to out of the gate! I don't want to talk about how we can or will open after 95% of the city and country have already surpassed us. How will we replace the lost revenue? How will we encourage people to get out, shop local, visit our city? All questions I want us to have the answers for, and today we have none. I would like us to be working on a real plan, now. 

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Kevin Klein speaks with Executive Search leader Gail Eckert of Summit Search. Gail and Kevin talk about many topics, International Women's Day and the barriers and challenges she has faced in the private sector.

Is the career landscape changing for women? What is the current status of the job market in Winnipeg during the pandemic? What should a person do who wants to return to the workforce?

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