The City of Winnipeg public works department is recommending against expanding the Know Your Zone program.
The Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure and public works asked for a report on the feasibility of including other services in Know Your Zone.
Public works examined Know Your Zone, waste and recycling, insect control and spring clean-up.
It also researched comparable policies in other major cities.
In its report, public works said it is not feasible to wrap other services into Know Your Zone.
It said each service divides neighbourhoods uniquely based on a number of factors, and there is no easy way to transition to one system.
Some Winnipeggers supported the idea of a broad Know Your Zone program. They said it makes sense to have a single zone system for services across the city.
But North Kildonan resident Tanis Walker said expanding Know Your Zone could create problems.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, because it’ll be very complicated and I think it’ll cost a bunch of money,” she said.
Wise Up Winnipeg Founder Todd Dube has been fighting Know Your Zone for years. He calls it unfair and illegal.
“I’m not surprised that they don’t want to expand that policy, or that brand for that matter,” said Dube.
North Kildonan City Coun. Jeff Browaty also believes that Know Your Zone needs improvement.
“It’s tough on businesses. It’s tough on residents. The current program just doesn’t work,” he said.
Browaty didn’t completely rule out combining some services in the future, but he said snow removal is unique and stressed that the current system needs fixing.
