Community advocate calling for improved bylaw enforcement at Winnipeg's vacant, unsecured homes
A community advocate has compiled a list of more than 120 unsecured, vacant buildings in Winnipeg to spur the city into improving bylaw enforcement.
Sel Burrows and a group of volunteers put together the list of properties, consisting mainly of houses and apartments blocks, which aren't properly secured and are a danger to the community.
The group said at least 30 appear to have been broken into and may have people unlawfully living inside.
Burrows believes these buildings are in addition to the 560 already registered under the city's vacant building bylaw, adding many have been vacant for months, even years.
Now, Burrows is calling on the city to clear the backlog of unregistered and unsecured vacant buildings and to improve bylaw enforcement and inspections.
“The inner city really depends on the bylaw enforcement department to maintain the city in good condition. If they’re getting behind, then they need help,” Burrows told CTV News.
He said city employees who are currently on light duty, like police or firefighters, could be brought in to help deal with the backlog.
He added that vacant buildings contribute to fires, crime. urban decay, and pose a threat to resident safety.
“This is something that, within a month or two, this all could be cleaned up because it’s not the city’s job to do the boarding up. It’s the city’s job to tell the landlords they have to live up to the bylaw, and it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“If they don’t do it, the city orders a contractor in and puts that cost onto the landlord’s property tax and they have to pay their property tax because if they don’t, they lose their house. It's a fairly simple solution to this issue."
Burrows is also calling on the city to prioritize vacant buildings near schools and social agencies.
A City of Winnipeg spokesperson tells CTV News there is typically an increase in complaints about vacant buildings as the weather gets warmer, adding the city does take action when those properties aren't in compliance with bylaws.
The city said the public is encouraged to contact 311 to report bylaw violations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.