Connecting with residents
In addition to my regular council duties, the second half of the summer has been a busy time for connecting with residents and communities in Elmwood-East Kildonan. My assistant Charity and I spent time meeting residents in person to see their concerns in person (this year’s heavy rains have revealed many ongoing challenges with drainage) and helping to address their issues.
Meeting with the public service
I met with members of the City’s public service to discuss housing and tree maintenance, and attended internal council info sessions on the proposed 4th emergency service, the North End Water Pollution Control Centre’s next phase, the Youth Ride Free Transit Pilot, and others. For city councillors, these are invaluable opportunities to speak directly with the departments about major projects and initiatives and get the information and context needed to support informed decision-making.
Attending a tour of community gardens that received grants from the Winnipeg Food Council, for which I serve as Chair
Advocating for our ward’s needs
In response to the overwhelming number of requests for traffic calming throughout our Elmwood-East Kildonan ward, I made a motion to ask the public service to identify ways to respond to this need using faster, more cost-effective tools. The Standing Policy Committee on Public Works opted to partially support the motion, directing the public service to address the request through their 2027 Road Safety Strategic Action Plan Annual Report. I will keep working on this issue.
Presenting to the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works
Supporting neighbourhood connections
I was delighted when residents of Riverton Ave contacted me for support in organizing a block party, and I happily provided a small grant to cover the permit costs. I was even more thrilled to be invited to attend what was a very memorable and special event. One attendee remarked to me that “If every street in Winnipeg did this each summer, we’d have a very different city!” I completely agree! Getting to know your neighbours is a simple but powerful way to increase connection and feelings of safety, reduce social isolation, and just plain have fun! I’m working on a block party info package to supplement the city’s own guide. There’s still lots of nice fall weather ahead – if you’re interested in holding a block party on your street, please get in touch!
This block party was just one of many wonderful community events and meetings I was invited to attend; others included celebrating the ADRA Winnipeg Hub’s summer youth program graduation and attending Rahma Community & Youth Centre’s annual picnic and speaking with youth about civic engagement. It was especially important to me to show support to Rahma after their centre was the victim of a hate crime in July.
Meeting with community leaders at Rahma Community & Youth Centre
Attending special events
I attended the Brookside Candlelight Service for the first time. Brookside is a city-owned cemetery and National Historic Site. Its Field of Honour is the final resting place for more than 10,000 veterans, service members, and war heroes. During this special service, representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Legion, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and elected officials shared remarks of remembrance against a backdrop of thousands of flameless candles placed on gravestones in the peaceful, park-like setting. If you’ve never attended the annual Brookside Candlelight Service, I encourage you to take part next year!
Brookside Cemetery Candlelight Service
It was also a pleasure to participate in flag raising events at City Hall for Ukraine, Pakistan, El Salvador, and Chile. These flag raisings are a great way to honour the vast contributions of the many ethnocultural groups in our city and to celebrate the rich and beautiful multiculturalism that Winnipeg is renowned for.
Celebrating with community at the Chilean flag raising