More housing, transit safety officers highlighted in Gillingham's State of the City
During his second State of the City address, Mayor Scott Gillingham called for a housing boom.
He announced that he wants to approve 8,000 new housing units by Nov. 30 to combat the housing crisis.
"What we need to focus on is delivery, momentum, outcomes," he said.
The city normally green lights around 5,000 units annually, but the mayor wants all departments involved to speed up the process tied to developments.
"If a traffic study is really, really needed, let's do a traffic study. If it may or may not be needed; let's think twice about that because there are some units being built right now where there are reduced parking minimums."
The industry notes approvals and permits are slowed because they have to pass through too many hands at city hall.
"He's named every department a housing department. That's music to our industry's ears," said Lanny McInnes, the president and CEO of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
Premier Wab Kinew was on hand for the speech. He said he supports the move, hoping it will help tackle homelessness and make rent cheaper.
Plus, Kinew suggested the province is looking at amending legislation, which shifted decision making authority over developments from local governments to the municipal board.
"Well there's a certain threshold that needs to be cleared before it go there. I think we could look at something like that," said Kinew.
"There was one significant project we approved as a council, I think still was a great project. I got overturned by the municipal board. That's hundreds and hundreds of units that are not being built," said Gillingham.
The mayor also talked about downtown safety in his speech, announcing 21 transit safety officers are set to be onboard in 10 days.
The plan is to have them focus on five problem routes.
"We need to make sure people can arrive to work and get back home safely," said Loren Remillard, the president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. "(I'm) really excited. Ten days, can't wait."
The mayor noted a grievance filed by the Winnipeg Police Association last month is not stopping the city from moving forward.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.