Tag: East Fort Garry

Our Canopy, Future Generations

Michael Thompson

Our tree canopy is critical for our future and future generations. I pledge to work hard to improve the situation for the canopy in our ward.

Everyone who knows the value of trees. Helping with air, blocking sunlight to keep homes and the land cooler. People are getting better sense of that as countless trees are being cut down. The sun this summer was merciless on our concrete absorbing the heat. Makes it harder for people to walk, hotter for animals. In the winter, the wind is harsher.  Something that most people don’t think about is the beauty.  When you live in this ward regardless of the area or your home, there is something special about the trees that makes your place that extra special. It’s not the suburbs that are lacking in trees and it’s not a concrete jungle void of life.

The email below reflects a request from people fighting for our landscape which I fully support. The pledge doesn’t reflect the budget and the work on the ground currently.  My perspective is that we need to understand the baseline right now in the ward and I would work hard to build on that momentum fitting the needs of the ward and the community. Increasing the quantity and variety of trees with the groups prepared to do the work and build action where areas are under stress.

Thank you for asking your question and for my support. I ask you and other in the ward for your support and vote to help me become your next city councillor. Together we can address this important issue for everyone.

Lives in the Ward, Works for the Ward!

Michael Thompson

===============================================================

 Hello, Mr. Thompson – I am resident in the Riverview/E. Ft. Garry Ward, and a member of the Trees Please Coalition.  We are asking each candidate for Mayor or for Council if each one will commit to the Trees Please Pledge, and incorporate it into their platform.  Let me know if you have questions.  Many thanks – Jean

Here is the Pledge, or, you can access it thro’ either of the links below:

The Trees Please Pledge

If I am elected, I pledge to take the following actions to protect and maintain Winnipeg’s urban forest:

• 1. Plant: Ensure that for every 1 public tree (boulevard and park) lost, the city will replant at least 2 new public trees and ensure that those trees are adequately watered, so they survive & thrive.

• 2. Maintain: Fund a 7-year pruning cycle (the industry standard) for all public trees.

• 3. Protect: Require that tree protection best practices be incorporated into all construction projects to prevent damage and loss of trees.

Click to access The-Trees-Please-pledge-landscape.pdf

Click to access The-Trees-Please-Candidate-Pledge-portrait.pdf

Infill Direction

Michael Thompson

Infill Development

Infill Development is an active topic in the ward and the city. The City of Winnipeg has been going on for years on the process of rules, policies, and expectations of what the infill rules are. I have taken part in these consultations in the past. Everyone from homeowners, architects, developers, and designers want to know what the rules are. Clear and transparent rules help everyone be successful, so we reduce waste, costs and get a project completed faster.

Let us talk about what an infill does

  • It brings in new families to street, new memories, events, and support for activities in the area
  • When someone wants to invest in the street that a positive development. It takes hundreds of thousand dollars to build a new building. People who chose to live in the street want to be there because they see the value in living in that neighborhood
  • It removes a house or building in the area that was either neglected, run down, to expensive to operate or no longer wanted
  • It allows people to live in their dream house/building, to find a safer neighborhood or be part of something special
  • It builds up the tax base, reduce everyone’s share
  • Technology, materials, and codes change. The home built 20, 15 or 5 years ago is not the same. This gives people skills to work with new materials, designs, and setup.

What infill is not

  • It is not going to go up quickly, it takes time, resources, and work to build a home. Construction is part of the process but not the end goal. It’s nice to celebrate someone’s success when they complete a major project
  • The design no matter who they are is not going to please everyone. You can ask ten people their evaluation of a design and no one may agree. The customer, architect, designer, and builder are spending their energy, time, and funds to build it. Your house made 70 years ago may have been hated 70 years ago but over time as trees, bushes, exterior changed it was made into a home people respect and appreciate. Everyone hates something different; it is a rare community that respects and appreciate all buildings. A well-built house that is cared for, will go through mutiple renovations over time. A mature tree, landscaping will hide or make certain feature look better.
  • There is a limited budget to what any one person building the house can afford. So, if the standard were two story Tyndall stone with a 2-car garage it would become cost prohibitive over time and a barrier to block only the rich from making a house

At the end of the day, we are talking about a box being built so a family can move in to feel safe and welcomed. I would work to make sure bylaw officers have the tools they need, and construction companies respect the bylaws and the community. Making sure the community participates in the project that has larger impact than just the lot itself. Penalize bad actors and publicize the infractions. As well support those working hard to build their business and their dreams.

What is the alternative? Not allow the free market and consumers to buy homes? To block something because it does not meet the expectations of a few. The market and trends of the time will limit the options because people also consider the resale value of a building. People move from one home to the next as each stage of life. Allow others the opportunity to live in their box in the ward.

There are general standards currently in place for development. The house/building cannot be higher than the current limit for that street. The front of the building limited to the current limit of the other buildings. What is the block zoned for? The developer/owner can ask for an appeal of a bylaw.

Of course, to prevent prejudice on the part of the city councillor, the city councillor of the ward cannot sit on appeal for their own ward. So, while most people believe they are voting for their city favorite to deal with infill decisions, that councillor cannot help during the appeal process. We might as well be rallying to vote in another councillor who sits on our ward appeal board.

Where does that leave me if elected in working on this issue. Pushing to have policy updated and released on infill. Advocating for the ward vs projects that do not meet standards. Clarify and helping communities understand what the current process and what comes next. Taking an active role in the situation to keep moving forward. If you feel the current councillor is not doing their best to communicate and address this why waste another 4 years expecting things to change?

I ask you to consider and vote for me to address this situation. I consider it one of my priorities for the ward and work on it so people can trust what is going on.

Thank you,

Michael Thompson

Lives in the Ward works for the Ward!

Citizen Engagement – Your Access

Michael Thompson
Your Face-to-Face time with Michael Thompson

An expectation we have of our election officials is access. In today’s world
of technology there are emails, texts, social media, skype, teams and good old
fashion phone calls. Yet for all the ways to reach a person nothing beats person
to person. The body language, the ability to look a person eye to eye and build
trust in each other.

There is also the general belief that a councilor should have an office in
the ward so folks can visit and ask questions. Personally, I would prefer to
see a community police office in the ward before I open an office in the ward.

What I will do is always make myself available for face-to-face time once a
month in a different part of the ward. Each month I will let folks know where I
will be, so it gives people the opportunity for me to listen to you. In the
spirit – Saturday October 22, 2022, I will be at the Forks Market from 6:30 pm
to 9:00 pm. If your interested meeting me, talking about what is important to
you, I invite you to come out.

My career has included lots of troubleshooting, dealing with issues, and satisfying
people. I am not fooling anyone when I say there will be challenging face to
face meeting, but I accept that part of the responsibility of leadership and
the role. I would rather be the face of the ward and take ownership for things
that need work. The only way things improve is if we are willing to listen and
build trust in the community. I am willing to do my part.

October 26, 2022, in the City of Winnipeg Civic election, please vote for me
as City Councilor for Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry.

I live in the ward and will work for the ward!

Sincerely,

Michael Thompson

Connecting with You – Apartments & Condos

Michael Thompson

As the days get shorter, there is not much day light left to go door knocking in the evenings. I appreciate folks are at their dinner table when we come around.

For folks in the ward living in apartments and condos access to building is a challenge. It’s good to see security is valued to prevent unwanted people from entering your building. If you would like a copy of my political flyer or want me to speak at your building, please let us know. Our team would be happy to drop of flyers for your building. Or I can meet with your building. Email my agent at VoteMichaelTAgent@shaw.ca for your requests. We love hearing from you!

No Flyers Please

Michael Thompson

These fall days are beautiful with the sun setting quicker and quicker. Everyone appreciates having a home and I respect signs on mailboxes with notes on no flyers, no junk mail or soliciting. In criss crossing the ward, over the years I meet lots of different people. In having a conversation with a Green Party candidate I ask him what is the Green Party’s stance on putting political brochures in mailboxes. Their stance is that this is political literature and does not fall under flyers. In handing out political materials only once have I seen a note on a mail box to not put political material in the mail box which I followed.

Of course there are few ways a person running for office can promote themselves on a smaller budget. My opposition has labour support and can raise the maximum amount of over $46,000 in a week. For my campaign I like to say the “Winnipegger frugal way” a political flyer is the most practical. I appreciate being able to talk to people, see the ward and recognize the different needs in the process.

To off set the use of trees for my campaign’s political flyers I promise if elected I will move that city buildings in our ward change to hand dryers. Thus reducing the use of paper from trees, filling our landfill with waste and the plastic used to haul the paper away. It could be a different manufacture but this video shows the impact on our environment and the overall savings.

Thank you for checking out my site and considering me as your next city councillor.

When you vote, please vote for me – Michael Thompson

Lives in the Ward, Works for the Ward!

Wage Parity

Michael Thompson

Some items may not seem important at the community level but make a huge impact in the lives of fellow community members. Every branch in the city should have a wage parity assessment and set a goal to achieve wage parity in under 7 years.

In Canada, we value fairness and this is an important area for women to feel valued and respected in the work place. If elected, I will fight to improve the lives of women in the City of Winnipeg work place. Let’s be a national leader in this regard.

Thank you for your consideration as your next city councillor for Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry Ward.

Animals, Pets and Options

Michael Thompson
Free the breed! How we treat animals reflects how our community is.
Free the Dog!

For a lot of people during the pandemic the popular choice was to turn to animals. Adoption and purchasing pets saw a major increase. Even before that, many people in Winnipeg owned pets as it’s part of the Canadian dream. When I go door knocking it sounds like every other house someone owns a pet. Pet ownership is a responsibility and as a City we need to address those needs.

In council I would

  • Work to designate more areas for pet owners.
  • Move to have a vote again on the breed ban. As well, I’d like to have the individual votes for the specific options asked for by citizens. One of the tricks of politics is to package all bills or options in a super bill. It forces people to vote for all or nothing. Call out this type of bill and truth to power is important. It prevented grown and development in areas everyone wants change.
  • Work to develop programs in the Recreation and Leisure to help train and coach owners and pets.
  • Continue to work with the groups working for pets (rescue shelters, Winnipeg Humane Society) for their leadership and input on this issue

Winnipeggers want options and guidelines that work with todays needs and growing pets. The pet industry continues to grow and Winnipeg can become a leader in this.

Consider your choices and realize there is only one person to vote for city councillor for Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry – Michael Thompson

Lives in ward, works for the ward!

Public Works

Michael Thompson

The city of Winnipeg public works budget is an estimated $250 million per year. This ward is one of the most important in the city. The downtown has invested a billion dollars over the past years.

There is a need to improve traffic congestion and construction in our ward. One of the biggest complaints I hear is the lack of coordination between construction and closing of roads. With my support we would see improved construction times. We are a city that will continue to grow and the goal is to have more people travelling downtown.

To do that we need:

  • Road construction taking place on major streets on nights and weekends. Our construction season is short enough, we need to work to shorten the time roads are closed
  • Coordinate contracts to when jobs are tendered and when they are started. Space out the work more effectively
  • Coordinate with other industries when working under the roads as well as on top of the roads
  • Invest in engineering methods for longer lasting roads and street lines

If you’re tired of the way road construction is done in the ward then vote for me so I can improve things. Vote for Michael Thompson in the early voting. Merci.

New Fire Station For Our Ward

Michael Thompson

No. 4 Station – 150 Osborne St. serves a very important part of the city of Winnipeg. The fire house is one of the busier ones in the city. If you ever get a chance to take a tour of the station you will see that it’s out lived it’s building space long ago. Our first responders need a safe, updated and functional space for the coming decades. Our population and needs continue to grow in this area. Other wards continue to have services and buildings upgraded while one of the largest tax bases in the city is neglected. Vote for me to get things done in the ward. Lives in the ward, works for the ward.

Green Space

Michael Thompson

Having a place to take your family, your pets, and yourself is important.

Our ward has some amazing locations – The Forks, the rivers, Memorial Park, Millennium Library Park, dozens of schools, community centres, lots of parks and playgrounds. If you ever get a chance, take your kids to the playgrounds in Wildwood parks. My focus is making sure we utilize the green space for what people need and want for todays activities. Our ward has many new people to Canada so they bring diversity and different interests. My plan would be to review what we have and develop more dog parks, soccer fields and basketball courts. I would also like to add places to play Pickleball, ultimate frisbee and bike polo. Having greenspace in our ward that helps these activities makes us a leader in the city. My dedication to green space is solid. Integrating green space in our city helps people with mental health making our community and city more livable. I will always advocate for green space so vote for me and allow me to work for you. My focus is our ward and you!

Here is a recent email from one of the more active lobby group in the city.

OURS-WINNIPEG (OUTDOOR URBAN RECREATIONAL SPACES) – Home

We commend Winnipeg’s City Council for approving key planning documents in May 2022 with the following amendments. 

  • creation of a Master Greenspace and Natural Corridor Plan By-law,  
  • a Biodiversity Policy
  • acquisition of an additional 1,000 acres of public park land 

These forward thinking plans and policies will preserve green space and set guidelines that protect and plan for greenspace for the future.     

Progress is being made by the City with budget allocation. Work has started on the Master Greenspace and Natural Corridor Plan and Biodiversity Policy. 

We ask for you to continue to support these amendments and ensure they are implemented in a timely manner. 

To give citizens an opportunity to learn what all the candidates are saying would you please respond to the following three questions?  

Please provide a few lines for our website that could indicate your aspirations, vision, commitment, timeframe, and achievements – what you want to tell the public about these three items.  

 1. Describe your commitment to ensure the Master Greenspace and Natural Corridors (includes river corridors) Plan By-law and Biodiversity Policy will be completed and implemented in a timely manner?

2. Describe your commitment and time frame to acquire 1000 additional acres of public parkland in the City of Winnipeg while greenspace is still available.
  

3. Describe your commitment to implement a Biodiversity Policy? 

Background and detail for the questions can be found at – www.ours-winnipeg.com/election-2022.html   

We do not endorse candidates but will seek candidate positions and compile relevant information on our webpage to inform voters.  

Pam Lucenkiw / Ron Mazur 

Co-Chairs

OURS-Winnipeg