City of Winnipeg Budget Process
February 08, 2024 at 1:15 PM
City of Winnipeg 2024 Budget Process is underway
On Wednesday, February 7, the Executive Policy Committee (EPC) of Winnipeg City Council tabled its preliminary 2024-2027 multi-year Operating and Capital budgets.
The operating budget is responsible for many of the programs and public services that Local 500 members provide to the citizens of Winnipeg.
From our preliminary analysis, the Local is cautiously optimistic that the Winnipeg budget is shifting from an era of tax freezes and vacancy management.
“Winnipeg was stuck under a decade of tax freezes and harsh vacancy management regimens,” said Gord Delbridge, President of CUPE Local 500. “If we want to build a city that works, we need to ensure we have adequate staffing levels and support for those staff, and we are starting to see a shift, albeit modest."
The Local welcomes the city’s commitment to increasing revenue through property taxes. We also welcome the new Neighbourhood Action Teams and new public library in northwest Winnipeg.
The closure of 20 wading pools along with closing Eldon Ross indoor pool and two outdoor pools; Happyland and Windsor Park, is deeply concerning, especially as summers are getting hotter.
“The metrix the city uses to see how often pools are used is flawed, considering the slow return of residents to city services post-pandemic,” says Delbridge. “We believe people still use these pools, and we would like to see this decision overturned”.
The Local will continue to review the budget to identify any other impacts to services and staffing levels. As always, we will raise these issues at the public meetings of the various standing policy committees.
Winnipeggers deserve a budget that provides the necessary funding and resources to deliver the public services they value and rely on.
Following a 23-day period for all City Councillors and the public to review the preliminary budget, the schedule of public meetings to hear delegations and consider changes will be as follows:
Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 16
SPC Public Works
Friday, March 8
SPC Finance and Economic Development
Monday, March 11 and Sunday, March 17
SPC Community Services
Tuesday, March 12
Executive Policy Committee - budget presentations
Wednesday, March 13
SPC Property and Development
Thursday, March 14
SPC Water, Waste and Environment
Date To Be Determined
Winnipeg Police Board
Friday, March 15
Executive Policy Committee - budget delegations
Tuesday, March 19
Executive Policy Committee - final budget recommendations
Wednesday, March 20
Council to consider budget
To view details of the multi-year budget, click here.
