This week inside city hall: Bilingualism, speed limits and fines

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A recent report highlights the City of Winnipeg’s ongoing struggle to meet its obligations for French-language services. The 2018-2022 Annual Reports on French Language Services reveal that limited resources have hindered progress, leaving francophone communities without adequate access to bilingual services, particularly in the Riel district. Although the city is updating its five-year plan, focusing on communication, governance, and management, challenges remain, including retaining bilingual staff. Currently, only 5% of city employees are identified as bilingual, far below the percentage of French-speaking residents, raising concerns about consistent service delivery. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface) is calling for increased federal support and matching funds for bilingual services, emphasizing the need for French-language options comparable to English. Despite some progress, the report indicates ongoing difficulties in providing effective bilingual services across all departments.

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SPEED LIMITS

The City of Winnipeg recently reduced the speed limit on Wilkes Avenue and designated the entire stretch from Shaftesbury to the Perimeter as a no-passing zone. Now, a city councillor is advocating to lower the speed limit to 30 km/h along a busy bike route on Wellington Crescent following the tragic death of cyclist Rob Jenner, who was struck by a speeding vehicle earlier this year. Councillor Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) has proposed reducing the speed limit from River Avenue to Kenaston Boulevard until a protected bike lane is constructed. The motion, citing ongoing risks to cyclists and pedestrians, is part of broader efforts to improve cycling safety. Currently, Wellington Crescent lacks dedicated bike lanes, forcing cyclists into mixed traffic despite increasing usage and calls for safer, low-stress routes. The city is expected to finalize updates to its transportation plan, but changes may not be implemented before spring.

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CHASING FINES

The City of Winnipeg is ramping up efforts to collect over $12 million in unpaid fines, including parking and bylaw violations accumulated since 2016. With more than 102,000 outstanding tickets, city officials are urging the province to grant new powers, such as denying driver’s licence renewals and adding fines to property tax bills, to improve collection rates. Despite measures like immediate towing of vehicles with multiple unpaid tickets, compliance has only slightly improved. Although discussions are ongoing, the province warns that implementing such measures requires coordination across several departments, which may delay swift action. Meanwhile, Winnipeg is seeking a new collection agency contract starting in 2025 to help address the issue.

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GOING TO COURT

The family of Daniel Fraser Rentz, who died in a house fire he allegedly started, is suing the City of Winnipeg and a 911 operator, alleging negligence in response to an emergency call made by Rentz hours before the blaze. The lawsuit, filed in Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, seeks financial compensation, claiming the 911 operator failed to treat the call with the necessary urgency despite Rentz expressing suicidal thoughts. The family is pursuing damages under The Fatal Accidents Act and is demanding a deeper investigation into the handling of the call. Rentz, who suffered from methamphetamine-induced psychosis, reportedly purchased gasoline and caused an explosion, resulting in his death from thermal injuries. The fire occurred at 792 Logan Ave., where police officers initially attempted a rescue but were forced back by the flames. The home, later destroyed by a subsequent fire, has since been demolished. The lawsuit is pending, with no response filed yet from the city.

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TRANSIT PLUS

Advocates say that dozens of Winnipeggers with disabilities have faced delays in receiving essential accommodations for Transit Plus services, an issue linked to recent staff departures at the city. At its peak, the backlog affected over 100 people, with some waiting up to six months for an assessment to determine their eligibility and specific needs for accessible transportation. The city began outsourcing these assessments after several occupational therapists left their positions, raising concerns that this shift could compromise service quality and compliance with human rights standards. Mayor Scott Gillingham and the Executive Policy Committee have yet to present any plans to resolve these issues.

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JUST A LITTLE PRICK

The Executive Policy Committee and Mayor Gillingham declined to take action on a motion for proactive cleanup of needle debris and weapons in city parks, brought forward by Coun. Cindy Gilroy. Instead, the inner circle sided with the Public Service, asserting that the Province of Manitoba is responsible and should be requested to implement a needle exchange program within Winnipeg to incentivize the return of used needles. The motion does not outline any specific details for what such a program would entail.

IN THE ZONE

City Council will hold a special public hearing on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The meeting will address proposed changes to multiple by-laws, including zoning regulations, the Complete Communities Direction Strategy, and amendments to the Transcona West Area Structure Plan. These changes are aimed at meeting the demands of the Federal Liberal Government’s Housing Accelerator Fund for infill housing. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has stated that if elected, he would cancel the Liberal Housing Accelerator program, citing Winnipeg as a prime example of the program’s failings.

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