Battle lines being drawn in Brandon over ‘15-minute city’ plan

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Controversy is brewing in Brandon over the city’s plans for long-term growth and over the concept of “15-minute cities,” as some claim a new City Plan could strip people of their “freedoms” and keep them confined to their neighbourhoods.

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Residents packed into the Brandon City Council building on Aug. 19 for a public meeting regarding the proposed Brandon City Plan, with so many showing up to the meeting that not everyone could fit in the council chambers.

Brandon officials say the City Plan represents the city’s long-term “vision” for growth and development, and that it plans for “growing population, development growth, demographic changes, changing demands, and environmental considerations,” over the next 30 years in the western Manitoba city.

The plan also proposes steps to improve public transit and active transportation options in Brandon, so residents who don’t want to drive their own vehicles would have increased options to get around the city and have better access to amenities and services.

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At the meeting, delegate Rhonda Forbes said she believes the plan should be axed completely, because she said she believes it will turn Brandon into a “15-minute city” and restrict resident’s freedom of movement and privacy.

“However you name this plan, it puts Canadians at risk of serious harm, violating privacy and citizen’s Charters of Rights and Freedoms,” Forbes said.

The 15-minute city is defined as an urban planning concept that looks to have services and amenities, including shopping, education and health care, available within 15 minutes of wherever people live in urban areas and aims to reduce “car dependency” in cities.

Forbes claimed the proposed City Plan in Brandon would turn Brandon into a 15-minute city, where she said there would be increased “government surveillance” of residents, and restrictions on movement and travel, as well as vehicle ownership.

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“As Brandonites we strongly oppose every aspect of this agenda and demand that not even one cent of our tax dollars be spent on these initiatives,” Rhodes said.

At the meeting several other delegates also spoke in opposition to the plan, and said they had fears that it could lead to decreased “freedoms” in Brandon.

But delegate Leila Praznik said she supports the plan and likes what she sees when it comes to improving options for people to get around without having to drive their own vehicles.

“In general, I move through the city by walking or cycling whenever possible including in the winter, but this city is made for motorists by default,” Praznik said.

“Although Brandon is making strides to improve in these areas, we still lack a comprehensive network of bike lanes and paths that reaches inside the city, some streets still lack sidewalks and proper crossing infrastructure, and Brandon Transit does not provide fast and frequent service.”

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Praznik also said she believes “conspiracy theories” about the plan have been spreading in Brandon, but added she sees more freedom being offered in the proposed City Plan and not less, and does not see it as something that people should fear.

“The conspiracy theories assert that 15-minute cities are instituted to restrict people’s freedom of movement, but for us non-motorists our freedom of movement has already been restricted for decades, since the onset of car-centric urban planning,” Praznik said.

“Would-be walkers, cyclists and transit users are left with no options but to use their cars.”

Praznik called the Brandon City Plan “the most encouraging thing I have ever seen for the future of this city,” and urged city council to approve it.

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“I’ve dreamt of a Brandon where grocery stores, doctor’s offices, pharmacies and more are a short walk away,” Praznik said.

“Adopting the city plan will help make Brandon into the city future generations want and need it to be.”

The Brandon City Plan continues to make its way through the public hearing process, and would still need city council approval before it could be implemented.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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