A New Year, and a Coming New Manitoba Legislature

We're not there yet, but with the New Provincial Boundaries set, it looks like there will definitely be new faces making decisions on Broadway come next election. Of particular note is the combination of Minnedosa and Russell constituencies into the new Riding Mountain seat, and the addition of Dawson Trail, home of many francophone rural communities between Winnipeg and Steinbach. As well, with the passing of Oscar Lathlin, The Pas opens up some intriguing possibilities for Political Parties to put their best foot forward. We can assume Elmwood is Bill Blaikie's for the taking, but there have been surprises before.

For the most part, there are no other radical changes that will prevent sitting MLAs from holding onto their seats. Manitoba elections have never been particularly exciting, owing to limited resources and imagination. Of course, there is a vague possibility of a swing to the provincial Progressive-Conservatives, should Hugh McFadyen make a convincing case to suburban voters of his suitability for being Premier, and if they decide to no longer see Doer as a winner. Not much chance of that just yet, although cracks are appearing in the formidable NDP machine, especially when one considers the weak back-bench strength.

When one factors in the Feds into the mix, a scarier picture emerges.

Strong Conservative penetration from the south-east builds upon the Blue west and sub-urban north. While each of these is strongly influenced by their rural components, it has definitely become far more threatening. 

The absence of Liberal strength beyond River Heights and Tyndall Park leaves little alternative for prudent stability seekers. It will take time for Michael Ignatieff to develop a credible Winnipeg team, let alone build a full Manitoba squad of credible candidates. That said, there are a world of opportunities yet to be explored, for those who have eyes to see. With the tough and seasoned politicians at the ready, any change will require dedicated team-work, team building, and that ever elusive time.

Winnipeg's Architectural Heritage and Sport Manitoba's New Home

Had the good fortune to attend a City of Winnipeg Property and Development Committee Meeting. How I got there was possibly a mistake, but fortuitous. It's not everyday, you get to hear Paul Robson (GM of the 1984 Grey Cup winning Blue Bombers) speak on the imminent move of Sport Manitoba, and their plans to upgrade.

The crux of the matter was resolved by declaring 146 and 156 Alexander Grade III Heritage Buildings (ie "Suitable alterations or repairs are regulated to preserve the special architectural or historical interest. There is usually no restriction on interior alterations"), so that Sports Manitoba may move in and make necessary upgrades. It will increase their office space from approximately 68,000 to 84,000 square feet. This is the first funded phase of the project that should be completed by the end of 2009. 

The Second Phase will include a 900,000 field house, that may gain traffic of about 1200 users/day. Sports Manitoba will continue with its 200+ employees.

Presenters, along with Robson, included Sport Manitoba President & CEO Jeff Hnatiuk, Ross Eadie, and the building's owner, Mr Tang, who seemed very excited by the proposal.

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Also discussed was Winnipeg's Historic Inventory List of 400 buildings, the owners of which can expect a mailing soon, informing them that there are historical obligations that come attached with their properties. However, it's not clear when or how these assessments will be made. There is a goal of getting these matters clarified by 2010.

The entire list can be found at:

http://www.winnipeg.ca/PPD/historic/historic_conservlist.stm

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Heritage Winnipeg Director Cindy Tugwell also made a presentation. She was clearly frustrated at the lack of communication between interested parties, development and preservation.

Both Fort Rouge - East Fort Gary City Councillor Jenny Gerbasi and Tugwell were relieved that the historical buildings were not to be demolished. Gerbasi, in particular, was enthusiastic of the change in plans.

Sam Katz eyes third term

Oh for crying out loud.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/12/31/katz-mayor.html


The number one reason for this blog is to get a replacement for this goofball.

Katz's strategy the last two times around was to motivate local business interests to help get some sweet deals. Winnipeg is so badly divided between Conservative and NDP interests that it's proved next to impossible to find a decent candidate to represent all Winnipeg, so we get Katz, the worst of all possible worlds.

Katz and his right-wing thugs are, so far, steamrolling over the competition, but it's an eternity between now and election day,

The game plan is simple. Discussions amongst the rest of Winnipeg to figure out where we want to take this city. There are problems with the Premier provincially, and the Conservatives federally that will ensure turmoil municipally, but the simple truth is that I believe in Winnipeggers, and their ability to move forward. I believe this city can do much better than it has shown.

It's time for this city to get its act together and move beyond the yahoo politics of today.

With the new year, it will happen.

In the Face of the inevitable River Heights - Fort Garry By-Election.

In the weeks since Brenda Leipsic passed away from Cancer, dreams have been popping into the heads of potential City Councillors bent on making a difference at City Hall. Schemers and connivers everywhere in our fair city are poking their heads out of the woodwork, angling to become part of a winning team, in a game where it is well-known that most everybody loses.

Mayor Katz, no doubt has his favoured replacement candidate. The different interests in the River Heights - Fort Garry region will assert their voices, looking for the candidate who can best champion their interests, often with a very tiny field of vision.

Well I, for one, hope the Mayor doesn't get his wish. I'm none too fond of where he's been taking our city, and figure it's time for progressive change to make a comeback, and clang out loudly to the standard voices: we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.

The coming by-election will not be a simple sleep walk for the old ambitions lurking throughout the city. It will be a larger battle for the future of our city, and to a degree, our nation and world. It will be our first great test, to voice our displeasure at the circus in Ottawa, to respond to our world in environmental and economic crisis, and to take up leadership on urban issues, that will be at the forefront of hard times to come.

This will not be a simple race. It would be easy to trivialize it, but that simply will not do. What is required, is a lot of discussion, and consensus. For Winnipeg, there needs to be better dialogue amongst her 15 municipal wards, her 30 provincial constituencies, her 8 federal ridings, and her numerous neighbourhoods.

It is a time for "All Winnipeg" to be considered in the equation, as there are terribly pressing issues afoot, contradictory messages being spouted, and a woeful lack of substantial leadership.

In the days ahead, I hope to clarify these issues, and offer solutions that serve the interests of our fellow Winnipeggers. May it truly be a Happy New Year.