Report recommends exclusive downtown parking for Winnipeg police to settle long standing grievance
Winnipeg police officers could soon have exclusive access to parking at the Millennium Library Parkade, after a new report to the city recommends police be offered secure parking on the bottom floor.
"I think this is a win-win for not only the city, but our members," said Moe Sabourin, the president of the Winnipeg Police Association.
The report, which was a late add to the mayor's executive policy committee meeting Wednesday, recommends police officers have exclusive access to the 264 parking spots on the bottom level of the parkade, which is next to the downtown station.
The report notes this would settle a long-standing grievance by the police union, that alleges the city and police have breached their duties by not providing safe parking for officers downtown.
"Our members are targeted, they experience edged weapon attacks, firearm attacks, threats, sabotage to their vehicles and it's all because of their employment," Sabourin said.
If the report is approved by council, the plan would only go forward if there was enough buy in from police personnel within three months.
If demand was higher than expected, more spaces could be made available.
Spots would cost $275 a month, and would be split between two members. The commitment would have to be one year minimum.
"It is fair market value that officers would be paying, it's not free parking, but it is a matter of securing the area," said Coun. Markus Chambers.
There would still be a cost to the city, as the parkade would require $200,000 worth of upgrades to make the necessary security changes.
The report also notes the city would lose $95,000 a year because it would miss out on the extra parking cash for special events, like Winnipeg Jets games and concerts.
It would also mean fewer parking spaces downtown, which is a concern for Coun. Sherri Rollins.
"Cause downtown and the nighttime economy and those arts and cultural spaces are what people feel makes downtown safer, the vitality," said Rollins.
If uptake is too low for the spaces, the grievance would end, but if council votes down the proposal, the grievance will remain in place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.