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C M Y K 4 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 A SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS Growing Winnipeg's economy: mayoral candidates CIVIC ELECTION 2022 • asphalt paving • concrete paving • interlocking • resurfacing & repairs • base & excavation • sewer & water • structural concrete work COMPLETE SUB-DIVISION DEVELOPMENT 204-989-4700 3000 Main St. West St. Paul, MB www.jcpavingltd.ca HILLCOUNSEL.COM Build your case on a strong foundation. We have the expertise, the experience and the right tools for every job. A Leading Litigation Boutique For Over 30 Years. F ront-runners for the mayor's office in Winnipeg all agree on something: growing the capital city's economy, including as part of the metropolitan region, is a top priority. Economic growth is a top priority of former Winnipeg mayor and former Ontario MPP Glen Murray, Coun. Scott Gillingham, who chaired city council's finance committee for five years including through the stormy economic pandemic years and Coun. Kevin Klein, who represents Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood. "Our city is only as healthy as its least healthy residents. Everyone should have access to the benefits of public infrastructure, amenities and services," said Murray. "Economic growth, if managed in a more equitable way, lifts up our entire city and helps it to prosper and attract new residents, wealth and growth." He said sustained economic growth flows through ensuring a 'return-on-investment' lens is used in infrastructure funding decisions. Broader public investment needs to be justified on "whether it anchors and furthers our long-term success and prosperity, and helps build a robust city that can thrive in the 21st century." For Gillingham, economic growth enables progress. "Our quality of life, public services, public health, housing, reconciliation and even our ability to pivot to a greener energy mix all depend on the strength of our economy," he said. Both Murray and Gillingham ranked economic growth as the No. 1 priority. The responses were among the replies to an MHCA survey sent to the mayoral candidates, seeking the policies and ideas of those vying to lead City Council for the next four years. Council candidates were sent a similar questionnaire. Shaun Loney, a social equity businessman, also sent in his priorities. Klein stressed that halting the exodus of Winnipeggers is the first step to returning the city to economic growth. "Once we have addressed the issues associated with disappearing residents and businesses, then the City will be set on a path for growth." But moving to sustainable growth also depends on accountability and transparency. As mayor, Klein would introduce a cost-benefit or return-on-investment analysis for city projects. He joined Murray and Gillingham in underscoring the importance of collaboration among capital region municipalities to promote development and investment that benefit all. Murray said collaborative and efficient approaches in the capital region are needed for land use planning, delivery of water and sewer services, and building roads connecting communities. Gillingham, drawing on his experience on the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region's board, said a capital region economic development plan is needed to promote collaboration so the municipalities compete against other capital region jurisdictions, not each other. He also said CentrePort Canada's full build-out is critical to realizing the region's economic potential. "With its tri-modal advantage, CentrePort South will be one of the region's most important employment lands and economic activity hub in the future." Murray said if he were mayor, he'd consider the economic advantages of the proposed CentrePort South expansion. For Loney, creating green jobs for young people holds greatest potential for economic growth. But he is also concerned about the lack of progress on CentrePort South and sees a need to address the lack of serviced commercial and industrial land in Winnipeg. Both Murray and Gillingham were strong advocates of striking a new, fairer deal so the municipality can see greater share of tax revenues with higher levels of government and generate new revenues. "To me, the critical issue isn't just more revenue - it is finding a revenue model that grows with the economy so that city officials see a clearer incentive to support growth," said Gillingham, who noted his platform has a 'new fiscal deal' plank. Murray said he would re-ignite the work he started, as mayor of Winnipeg in the mid-1990s, on the 'New Deal for Cities' campaign, "advocating for an improved, longer-term funding formula that further helps cities prosper, including through infrastructure funding." US cities, including those within Winnipeg's trade zone, he said, have stronger and more diversified revenues and greater abilities to manage costs. Klein said the city has to get its finances – and its accountability – in order before it can be seen to lobby for greater tax revenues and funding from the province and Ottawa. "The federal and provincial governments can see how the city hasn't properly managed its finances, even with an almost 20% increase in tax rates (2.33% a year) over the past 8 years," he replied. The municipal election is on October 26. MH_xx_Sep-24-22_CO_01.indd 4 2022-09-21 3:39 PM

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