WINNIPEG, MB - July 18, 2012 - Today, City Council amended the Sunday and Holiday Shopping by-law to allow retailers in Winnipeg to open their doors at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays.
“Winnipeg’s business owners and operators are in the best position to determine what hours of operation suit their customers’ needs,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “As soon as the Province of Manitoba cleared the path, City Council moved to change the by-law.”
Also today, City Council voted unanimously to reduce speeds in school zones. Mayor Katz first initiated discussion about reducing speeds in school zones during the 2010 civic election.
“The safety of our children is paramount,” said Councillor Paula Havixbeck, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services. “The fact that the vote was unanimous indicates that all councillors feel the safety of our children is a priority.”
Council also approved $51 million for the expansion of the Winnipeg Convention Centre and $2.5 million for a Cultural District Streetscaping project.
Today marked the final Council meeting for the 2012 winter-spring season. Highlights from the past seven months include:
- Council created a Community Centre Renovation Grant Program to support repairs, upgrades, retrofits and safety improvements to these community facilities. In June, 17 community centres were awarded a combined total of $560,000 under the program’s first intake period.
- Council approved a strategy to improve building permit and inspection processing times, amending the necessary bylaws to increase flexibility and streamline processes.
- Council approved an agreement with the Government of Canada to deliver a Homelessness Partnering Strategy through March 31, 2014. The strategy is investing over $11.5 million in the City of Winnipeg over two years. The City will be distributing this funding to local organizations for the development of housing and support services for homeless and at-risk individuals in Winnipeg.
- Council approved the awarding of a contract for a public-private partnership (P3) to build, finance and maintain the South District Police Station. A value-for-money analysis concluded the P3 option would save taxpayers nearly $1.3 million when compared to an outright purchase of a new police station building.
- Council approved a report on the Neighbourhood Liveability, Zoning, Vacant and Derelict Buildings by-law, which showed that since the implementation of the strategy, the number of vacant buildings in the City decreased by 30 per cent.
A number of significant initiatives previously approved by Council were realized in 2012:
- The Southwest Transitway opened, providing Winnipeggers with fast and reliable transportation options between downtown and southwest Winnipeg.
- The stadium site at 1467 Maroons Road is to be sold to Polo Park Holdings for $30 million. Polo Park Holdings will create mixed-use development in the area.
- The City of Winnipeg began rolling out automated garbage and recycling collection and curbside yard waste collection services for single-family homes.
In addition, Council oversaw the ongoing business of the City of Winnipeg, including the adoption of a $900 million tax-supported operating budget, the collection of property taxes, local improvements and countless rezoning applications.