Winnipeg, MB - Today, City Council voted in favour of passing the 2016 Capital and Operating Budgets by a vote of 10-6. The adoption of this year's Budget was led by Mayor Brian Bowman, Chair of Finance Councillor Marty Morantz and a united Budget Working Group that worked tirelessly to make the difficult decisions required to achieve a balanced the budget.
“I want to thank Council for showing confidence in this year’s balanced budget which makes record investments in infrastructure, maintains and invests in key services Winnipeggers have said they need and builds our city for the future,” said Mayor Brian Bowman.
“Against the backdrop of the structural deficit we inherited from previous councils, I’m happy we were able to address the priorities Winnipeggers have told us they want. Winnipeggers regularly remind me they want their streets fixed and this budget includes historic investments into our crumbling infrastructure, including the building and repairing of local and regional streets and sidewalks.”
Highlights of the 2016 Budget include:
Infrastructure Investment & Fuelling Economic Growth
- The 2016 budget is balanced and makes record investments in infrastructure
- Business tax rate is reduced from 5.6 to 5.3 per cent representing a 7 per cent reduction since 2014
- An enhanced Small Business Tax Credit program to provide approximately 5,900 or nearly half of all Winnipeg businesses with a full tax rebate when they have an annual rental value of $32,220 or less in 2016
- A record investment of $105.2 million in local and regional street renewal, representing a 24.5 per cent increase since 2014
- A record level of investment in local sidewalk renewal of $2.4 million, representing an increase of $1.6 million
- Dedicated funding to the future construction of the Southwest Rapid Transitway, following through on the multi-year funding plan announced in last year’s budget
- Funding of $750,000 toward a $3 million commitment to support the 2017 Canada Summer Games
- A $50,000 annual commitment for five years for a new Municipal Infrastructure Chair at the University of Manitoba
Supporting Public Safety, Stronger Neighbourhoods & Community Amenities
- A $280.7 million commitment to the Winnipeg Police Service, representing a $16.7 million increase or 6.32 per cent
- A $190.1 million commitment to the Fire Paramedic Service budget, representing a $11.8 million increase or 6.63 per cent
- Combined, the Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service represent 44.6 per cent of the total tax supported budget
- Enhanced Community Paramedicine Program, including an expanded Emergency Paramedics in the Community (EPIC) program subject to funding confirmation from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
- A $150,000 commitment to the Community Homeless Assistance Team (CHAT) operated by the Downtown BIZ
- Second year of a five year annual commitment of $150,000 to the United Way’s Plan to End Homelessness
- Increased funding to the Winnipeg Arts Council bringing the funding level to $7 per capita
- $1 million of a $5 million commitment to support the Winnipeg Art Gallery - Inuit Art Centre
- A $1.75 million commitment to the Aboriginal Youth Strategy
- A $75,000 increase to the city-wide Accessibility Program bringing total funding to $425,000 a year
- Doubling the budget from $383,000 to $766,000 over the next three years for the Reforestation Improvement Program to support tree replacement and pruning along city boulevards, plazas and parks
- Conducting civil marriage ceremonies at City Hall for a fee of $500
Investing in Transit & Transportation
- A $200.4 million commitment to transit, representing a $25.6 million increase or 14.6 per cent
- Increased investment in transit capital and in transit maintenance staff to keep up with fleet expansion, technological changes, emissions control work, and bus repairs
- Transit UPass program scheduled to launch in the fall of 2016 to support the city’s university students
- Operational support for the Transportation Management Centre scheduled to be in operation by the end of 2016
Encouraging Innovation
- The $1 million Innovation Capital Fund embedded annually to facilitate investment in new and innovative ideas to improve efficiency, service delivery and responsiveness in city operations
- $11.1 million identified in administrative efficiencies and tax supported savings that are invested directly into the regional streets program
Supporting a City Hall that Works
- Funding to support the creation of the new Office of Integrity Commissioner
- Funding to study and review smart growth funding options including growth fees
- Increased communication support including new positions in the Office of Public Engagement
“We continue to work at addressing a structural deficit that we inherited following many years of property tax freezes,” said Mayor Bowman. “Moving forward, we need to continue examining responsible ways to address this challenge while we continue to work with other municipalities to obtain a fair share and a fair say in how provincial infrastructure dollars are invested in our communities.”
Information about the City of Winnipeg’s 2016 budget can be found here: winnipeg.ca/2016Budget.