Brian Bowman hopes for new infrastructure funding model under Pallister
Winnipeg mayor talks funding changes for municipalities on day of provincial swearing-in ceremony
The Progressive Conservative government will be sworn into government Tuesday, and Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says he hopes to see new infrastructure funding privileges extended to municipalities under premier-designate Brian Pallister's watch.
"I know that today is a really big day and so they should be celebrating," Bowman said. "It's an opportunity for renewal."
Bowman said he's eager to work with the new government. One thing he'll be keeping his eyes on in the coming weeks and months is whether Pallister heeds calls from the province's 137 mayors and reeves regarding the allocation of infrastructure money to municipalities.
"We were united in calling for a fair share and a fair say in how infrastructure dollars are spent in our jurisdictions," Bowman said.
"We want to make sure that governments are working together to ensure that the priorities of municipalities — the level of government that's closest to the people we both collectively serve — is being met."
Bowman said he was encouraged by Pallister's campaign promise to restructure the current funding model and ensure municipalities have more control of money set aside by the province for infrastructure projects.
In February, Bowman called the current model "antiquated." He and mayors and reeves from several communities called on the provincial government to share a larger chunk of infrastructure funds with cities and rural municipalities.
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"The Progressive Conservatives had a significant announcement on fair say: a single basket for funding, an easier process, which will help us get more value for dollars," Bowman said.
"We're expecting as a result of that, we'll be able to really stretch the hard-earned tax dollars that are being sent to the provincial government a lot better in terms of being able to spend it on priorities of our citizens in our city."
The new government will be sworn in at 10 a.m. CT at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.