Category: Uncategorized

City of Winnipeg Budget

Michael Thompson

Our city continues to grow and the city services budget is over a billion dollars. I will fight for every dollar to invest and build our ward. This ward has so many amazing features from The Forks, to our rivers, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, RBC Convention Centre (LEED Silver designation), Winnipeg Transit buildings, BDI, Federal Park, boat clubs, Klinic, Crossway Church and the list goes on and on.

Being a resident in the Ward, I am focused on how we can apply the City of Winnipeg budget on to our streets. We spend over $500 million on police, fire fighters and emergency services per year. I will make sure our ward sees that investment in our neighbourhoods.

Here is a link to past budget expenses. I am always open to listen to your thoughts and views on city budgets.

Multi-year budget 2020 – 2023 – City of Winnipeg

Community Dashboard

Michael Thompson

Many of my goals are small but important. Over the coming days, I will add additional planks to my platform to give you an idea of the person I am. Communication is critical for a group to be successful. Our ward is an amazing patch work of communities. My goal would be to create a dashboard that helps members learn about important projects, meetings, deadlines and community involvement.

Vote Michael Thompson

Good bye to my running mate

Michael Thompson1 Comment

I have some sad news to share with you. Our dog Gina passed away recently after the election. My partner Jill had gotten her in Halifax from a rescue shelter at around the age of one. Gina may have been abused in that short time frame because she was always scared of laundry.

I was fortunate enough to be with Gina for about 7 years here in Winnipeg. Gina had the energy of a pup and the strength of 3 dogs so she needed daily walks. While I was angry she never wanted a day off from walking, I cherished our time together in the ward. She was my coach and traing partner for the 10k runs in the Manitoba marathons. We trained in all sorts of weather the coldest days and the heat but we shortened our distances and carried water. Our training trail is Wellington Crescent. I have been walking and running that walking path since the 90s. I get a kick out of seeing folks in their fancy gear and we just focus on the joy of running.

Gina suffered under a number of health issues. One was kurshing skin disease. There was no permanent health issues but her skin would always be like that, thats why we always covered her with a shirt or jacket. She was always the bell of the ball, she would always get at least one complement on our walks. We shared that in common, everyone underestimates our ages but not generally at the same time.

Growing up in Amaranth we had 3 dogs. My favourite was Pumpkin, she reminded me a lot of Gina. Organizing the Ironman curling at the Forks, Gina and I would walk the river trail all times of the day before and after the bonspiel. Folks brought up green space time and time again in the campaign. When you walk the river and the ward as I did with Gina, you see there is a huge amount. In addition we drive to Gladstone for family events. It doesn’t take you very long to drive any where and be in the country side. I enjoyed walking Gina in the fields and gravel roads around the family farm.

Walking and campaigning is a lonely job at times, I was very grateful to have Gina with me to campaign in the ward. Living in Osborne Village put us geographically in the centre of the ward, Gina and I walked just about everywhere except Wildwood. Her health towards the end that would just be to much for her, let alone me.

Safety and Security in Our Communities

Michael Thompson

In campaign I am interacting and listening to people’s concerns and comments. One of the important issues for all the communities in the ward is safety and crime that folks are experiencing due to drug addiction.

I take these concerns seriously and have been active in the community. I went on patrol with the West Broadway Bear Clan patrol, a community safety meeting at Lord Roberts and at Gordon Bell high school.

People are frustrated, scared and want to be active in their communities.

I would like to highlight the positives of the groups and the feedback coming out of this groups. These are to work together, being active in our communities and green space. Activities at our community centres and positive role models.

Police recommendation is to report issues either through 911, online or the none emergency phone number. Don’t assume someone reported the issue and continue to make those calls and reports to make issues heard.

Candidate Forum Video

Michael Thompson

Hello everyone,

Thursday October 11, 2018 the Candidates for City Councillor had a forum and we recorded it on video.  Here is a link to that video.

Our apologies for the video being saved vertically.  When it was recorded live via a cell phone it appeared properly.  We have looked at the settings and there are no options to rotate the video.  From you phone or tablet you can rotate that device to watch.

Thank you to Riverview Community Centre for hosting the event and Steven Place for organizing the event.  Thank you to Dean Jones from my team for doing the work behind the camera.  Thank you to the person who suggested, I loved the idea and made it happen.  Thank you to everyone who brought something to donate to Winnipeg Harvest.

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Platform On Infrastructure For The Ward

Michael Thompson

PRESS RELEASE #wpgpoli
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 11, 2018 10:30 AM

Michael Thompson, candidate for City Councillor for Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry platform on infrastructure for the ward.

I have been going door-to-door for several months since announcing my candidacy for City Council.  I want to make a positive difference for the citizens in the Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry and I have consistently heard concerns about the quality of infrastructure.

I will work hard to implement the following changes:

  • Improve the quality of the sidewalks, roads and back lanes. Large parts of the ward are used by citizens on foot.  It’s important that our sidewalks are usable and safe all year round
  • Expand and link our bike lanes to promote active transportation. There needs to be improvement in our addressing the major arteries with safe bike path options
  • Upgrade the East Fort Garry Outdoor Pool
  • Upgrade and invest in our community centres. Our community centres are the heart of community.  We need to look at options for using solar energy as well as having recycling drop offs and composting centres.
  • Replace Osborne Fire Station #4. The station was built in the late 1950s and has reached its end of life. There are major layout and structure issues that don’t meet today’s needs.  A new building needs to be built to meet today’s equipment standards and the needs of our changing community.  It is one of the busiest stations in the city and will continue to grow in calls.  Fire Station #4 is having an open house this Saturday October 13 from noon to 4 pm.  I encourage the public and media to visit the fire hall to judge the condition for themselves.
  • Work to reduce traffic congestion along Osborne Street and Confusion Corner
  • Add Pedestrian Flashing Lights at River Avenue and Lewis Street
  • Re purpose land at community centre under utilized as dog park areas. One example is re purposing the tennis courts at Fort Rouge Leisure Centre

I have been listening to the community and people expect more from our city and I agree. There is a lot of work to do and I promise to work hard to address these concerns make sure our communities adapt and are the communities we hope to live in years to come.  If elected I will use city resources to support and build our communities for urban revitalization.

For further information please contact candidate
Michael Thompson at 204-272-9555
or Shelley Ireland, Media Relations at 204-272-9555 ext. 3

www.VoteMichaelThompson.ca

Handi-Transit Time for Change

Michael Thompson1 Comment

Handi-Transit is critical to many people in our community and as a city it is our duty to provide sustainable, affordable, safe and accessible transportation systems for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use the regular fixed-route transit system.

I have been going door-to-door for several months since announcing my candidacy for City Council because I want to make a positive difference for the citizens in the Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry.  I have consistently heard concerns about service issues with Handi-Transit.

I will work hard to implement the following changes to Handi-Transit:

  • Allow 311 Services to take phone call complaints regarding service quality
  • Remove the policy of automatic “No Show” fines and auto charging for missed rides
  • Improve training requirements for drivers in regards to disability awareness.
  • Grant permanent rider status and change the 3 year reassessment timeline to 7-10 years.
  • Increase the geographical service boundaries to just beyond the city perimeter to enable riders to make common destinations. Example sledge hockey at the Iceplex
  • Expand eligibility criteria to recognize the changes in our aging population and to comply with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act
  • Allow Handi-Transit vehicles to use transit lanes in the same way that Taxi Cabs do
  • Create a mechanism for filing and tracking complaints against drivers which leads to action in order to hold Handi-Transit accountable for poor service

The Manitoba Ombudsman is preparing a report on the service and issues facing Handi-Transit.  I support releasing this report to the community and publicly acknowledging that the system requires major work.  Dependent upon the findings of the report, one of the recommendations may be the consideration of bringing the driver system back in house so that it is employed and serviced by the City of Winnipeg.  I would respect the recommendations outlined in the Manitoba Ombudsman report in order to achieve a Handi-Transit system that is able to provide sustainable, affordable, safe and accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use the regular transit system.

If comparing Handi-Transit systems across Canada, Winnipeg’s Handi-Transit would rate last or next to last.  People deserve dignity and a system that helps them stay connected to their community through their employment, education, health appointments and special occasions with family such as Thanksgiving meals or weddings.

For further information please contact candidate Michael Thompson at 204-272-9555 or Shelley Ireland, Media Relations at 204-272-9555 ext 3.

Vimy Ridge – Family Roots

Michael Thompson

Recently the City of Winnipeg undertook the task of restoring the war memorial at Vimy Ridge Park. I applaud the Mayor, all of the city councillors, and the city for doing this. It is important to remember the sacrifices that our armed forces have made in the past and what they symbolize to us in present day. It is crucial that future generations understand the sacrifices that these brave individuals made and why.

The war memorial represents a snapshot of my family history. It reminds me of my grandfather, Michael, who served in the First Canadian Army Division during WWII in the unit known as the Little Black Devils. He served as part of the mechanic corps, who were in charge of collecting the dead. Although I was fairly young when Grandfather passed away, I have wonderful memories of his love of instruments, and of music filling the house with laughter and joy. He was a dedicated family man and mechanic in White Rose. Only 59 when he left us, my grandfather, like all of our beloved fallen veterans, remains alive in our hearts and hopes for the future.

My grandmother, Germaine, was also quite active in the wartime effort. She was part of many organizations including the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAFS). She organized many of the international reunions as well as being involved in the association dedicated to remembering the role that women played in the first and second world wars. Gerry had training in photography and eventually took her skills to the field after the war. She was a brave and progressive woman being active in the Red River Co-op board of directors during a time when it was not common to find women on such boards.

When I am elected city councillor I promise to support efforts to honour and recognize the sacrifices that our citizens have made to protect our country. Lest we forget.