Latest news with #ScottGillingham
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
One small step for pedestrians, one giant leap for Portage and Main
Pedestrians will legally cross Portage Avenue and Main Street before the end of next week. On Thursday, Mayor Scott Gillingham said the reopening date is set for June 27. 'After (more than) 45 years of debating whether it should be open or not, we've ended the debate. It's opening and I'm getting very positive feedback from people in the downtown, that live in downtown, that work in downtown, that own businesses in downtown. I'm getting positive comments from people who live in the suburbs as well,' said Gillingham. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS The Portage and Main intersection is expected to re-open June 27. At last check, the mayor said the project was within its current budget, which had been bumped up to $21.3 million from $13 million to cover its expedited schedule. The city had aimed to reopen the intersection to foot traffic by the time Winnipeg Transit unveils a new network, on June 29, that will change virtually all of its routes. 'It was very important, all along, that the pedestrian traffic be able to cross at Portage and Main and the construction related to the opening be completed before we make the change in our transit system,' said Gillingham. Pedestrian access at Portage and Main has not been allowed since 1979. Reopening it has been debated for decades, with 65 per cent of Winnipeggers voting against the idea in a non-binding 2018 plebiscite. Gillingham originally said he would follow the results of that vote but changed his mind after a city report estimated it would cost $73 million to repair the membrane to renovate the site's underground concourse. He then supported closing the underground, an idea the city is now studying, and reopening the intersection to pedestrians. 'My thinking has (changed). When I drive through the intersection now, these days, I can't help but think how welcoming … the space looks to invite people into all of the buildings,' said Gillingham. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, said the reopening project triggered few construction complaints. 'I hardly got any pushback on it. The actual (traffic) flow through Portage and Main, all things considered, went extremely well,' said Lukes. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. She said she hopes restoring pedestrian access will end heated debate over the issue. 'Many people have a passion for Portage and Main. It's a very significant hub in our city and… I think it's exciting (to open it),' she said. Opponents of the change argued it wasn't worth its cost and could create significant traffic delays, while supporters argue the change will help rejuvenate and better connect downtown. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Mayor's inner circle approves selection of new CAO
Joseph Dunford is pictured in this supplied image. (Province of Manitoba) The City of Winnipeg is one step closer to finding its new chief administrative officer. On Tuesday, the city's executive policy committee confirmed that Joseph Dunford has been nominated for the role. Dunford is a professional engineer with decades of experience in the public sector. He is currently the deputy minister of public service delivery for the Manitoba government and has held senior leadership roles in three different provinces. According to the city, he has led major transformation efforts throughout his career, and managed large-scale capital investment and infrastructure projects, including a $5 billion hospital in Halifax. Mayor Scott Gillingham said Dunford has the kind of experience the city needs to lead the public service. 'He has a deep understanding of infrastructure, service delivery, and the inner workings of government,' he said in a news release. 'Just as importantly, he's shown he can lead large teams, manage big budgets, and drive results that improve people's lives.' If approved by council, Dunford will begin the role on Aug. 4. Sherwood Armbruster has been serving as the city's interim CAO since Michael Jack resigned last year.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
McDonald's franchisee nominated to police board
A business owner hopes to raise his own concerns about repeated incidents of retail crime as a new member of the Winnipeg Police Board, while Winnipeg's mayor prepares to leave the oversight body. Mayor Scott Gillingham has nominated Amit Kapoor to join the board that oversees the Winnipeg Police Service, pending a final council vote. After being on the front lines of retail theft, Kapoor said he hopes to advocate on behalf of businesses in the new role. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Mayor Scott Gillingham has nominated Amit Kapoor, RIGHT, to join the Winnipeg Police Board that oversees the Winnipeg Police Service, pending a final council vote. 'There have been quite a few break-ins in my restaurants and people have come even in… broad daylight. Sometimes they are armed, and sometimes they're not, but they have threatened our guests as well as my staff,' said Kapoor, in an interview Tuesday. 'Once you're part of retail, you understand and you see what happens around you.' Kapoor, whose company Kapson Family Restaurants Ltd. owns several McDonald's franchises across the city, believes retail crime began increasing seven or eight years ago and is not limited to a specific neighbourhood or type of business. In addition to break-ins and threats, he said one of his employee's cars was stolen. While his restaurants now have multiple cameras and alarms, the business owner said further measures are needed to address the nagging issue. He said safety concerns have hurt some businesses and forced a few to close. 'I saw a couple of people shut their shops in downtown because of retail crime,' said Kapoor. He declined to discuss specific changes he'd like the police board to pursue, noting he's still learning about the role he would like to take on. In the meantime, Kapoor said he welcomes the business community's feedback on crime and safety. Coun. Markus Chambers, chairman of the police board, said Kapoor will offer valuable insight. 'Given the fact that we're dealing with retail crime, it's great to have that perspective on the board and somebody that can speak to the issue that retailers are going through currently … He also provides another perspective in terms of being from the Indo-Canadian community,' said Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River). The mayor noted Kapoor has been on the 'front line' of key public safety concerns. 'He's got a really good view and an understanding of what it means to work in the city of Winnipeg, run a business, the impact of public safety on businesses, and employees and customers. I know he'll bring a wealth of experience,' said Gillingham. Kapoor will fill the seat recently left vacant when Kevin Selch's term expired. Meanwhile, the mayor announced his own departure from the board. During his 2022 election campaign, Gillingham promised to seek council approval to join the board, pitching the move as a way to help hold WPS accountable on crime-prevention strategies. On Tuesday, the mayor said he's confident police Chief Gene Bowers is now tackling many of the goals Gillingham hoped to achieve as a board member. 'We have a chief… that really fulfils a lot of the vision that I laid out in my campaign platform, one who is a collaborative chief, one who is focused back on crime prevention,' he said. Gillingham noted leaving the board will allow him to focus on other key issues. 'We have got to get the third phase of the north end (sewage treatment) plant (upgrade) funded. We've got to talk to the federal and provincial governments about other key infrastructure projects that are growth-enabling and trade-enabling, and that includes (expanding) Kenaston/ Route 90 and the Chief Peguis Trail extension. We've got the new Transit network that's got to be rolled out… I'm going to pour my time and energy into those matters,' he said. While a member of city council is expected to replace the mayor, Gillingham said there's no set date for that appointment. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said he is 'strongly considering' seeking the role. 'With my justice background, I think that I could bring some value to the board. I'm interested and I'll contemplate (that) over the next couple of weeks here before council considers people,' said Duncan. Prior to being elected, Duncan worked for Manitoba Justice in conflict resolution, often with youth as a councillor. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Local businessman nominated to, mayor stepping down from Winnipeg Police Board
Social Sharing A local businessman could soon fill a vacant position on the Winnipeg Police Board. Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham nominated Amit Kapoor, owner of Kapson Family Restaurants, which operates several McDonald's franchises in the city, to serve as a citizen appointee on the board. Kapoor would replace outgoing member Kevin Selch, founder of Little Brown Jug brewing company, whose term has expired. In a news release, Gillingham said retail crime is a big concern for the city, and Kapoor's experience as a business owner dealing with public safety issues every day will be valuable to the board. The executive policy committee voted unanimously to move the nomination forward. It still needs final approval from council. Gillingham also announced he is stepping down from the board. Serving on the board was one of his promises when he ran in the 2022 municipal election. Gillingham said with a new police chief in place and a new strategic plan for the board in development, now is the right time to step down. Council will vote on who should replace Gillingham as their representative on the board.
CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
City of Winnipeg nominates provincial bureaucrat to be new top civil servant
Mayor Scott Gillingham's inner circle has nominated a provincial public servant with a background in engineering to serve as the City of Winnipeg's new chief administrative officer. The executive policy committee unanimously approved a motion naming Joseph Dunford to lead the civil service. The nomination still needs council approval. Dunford currently serves as the deputy minister of public service delivery for the province of Manitoba. He has more than 20 years of experience as a professional engineer, having worked in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, a news release from the mayor's office said. He has worked on large-scale projects, including a $5-billion hospital in Halifax. If approved, Dunford would begin work on Aug. 4. He would replace former CAO Michael Jack, who resigned in June 2024, less than a week after an audit of the city's workforce. Jack had come under fire from some council members for his management of the city's administration, after the audit found the city lacked adequate processes for performance reviews and measuring progress toward key goals. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt was censured by council, after he refused to apologize following an ethics commissioner report that found his criticisms of Jack amounted to harassment. In a news release, Gillingham thanked interim CAO Sherwood Armbruster, who has served in the role since last June.
