There are around three and a half more weeks before a new mayor and council is elected in Winnipeg. Candidates continue to unveil their platforms leading up to the big day. Don Woodstock wants to change how ward allowances are used at city hall. In a news release Friday, Woodstock said ward allowances that should be used for improving the neighbourhoods of each councillor’s ward are instead being used to fund local ads for the councillors. “You should not need advertising to tell the constituents who you are,” said Woodstock. “If you do your job and you’re visible in the community, they will know your name.” If elected mayor, Woodstock said he would work to implement a ban on using ward dollars for physical ads, self-promotional mail, and digital ads. Instead, he would require that money be used for community centres, programs for kids and seniors, and other community initiatives. Kevin Klein was focused on what to do with vacant buildings in Winnipeg. He believes Winnipeg can’t become a safer city until empty buildings are dealt with. “It is a place to hide, a place to sell and a place to light a fire. Neighbours who pay their taxes should not have to wonder who is using the empty house next door after dark or whether it will go up tonight. Every vacant building will be repaired, reoccupied, rebuilt, or taken down,” said Klein. If he becomes mayor, Klein said he would work to close every vacant building file, whether that means repairing it, reoccupying it, rebuilding it, or tearing it down. If it is torn down and the landlord builds affordable housing in its place, the demolition fee would be removed. As well, all demolitions would be approved in 15 days or less. Klein also mentioned double and triple the fees if buildings are left vacant for more than two years. All unpaid fees would go on the tax roll, Klein said. He would also ask the province to make it easier and faster to take the title of homes that are left vacant. Lastly, Mike Vogiatzakis wants to tackle the homelessness, addictions, and mental health crises. If elected mayor, Vogiatzakis said he wants to build an indoor village for people to get off the street and feel safe. “A place where they can get a meal, clean clothing, and a shower,” said Vogiatzakis. This village would have 100 tiny single-resident homes that would offer 24-hour support for people, along with security and housing casework. To build the village and operate it for one year, Vogiatzakis said it would cost $13.85 million. “What we want to do is create this village to open up beds to give people a safe place. Rooms and beds alone will not change a life; relationships will. When somebody has spent months and years on the streets, they have lost trust in everything they believed in at one time. They have no promise that they believe in anymore. Our staff would show up every day; they would listen, learn.” Winnipeggers can start advanced voting on Oct. 5. Election day is Oct. 28.
