At our upcoming Civic Leaders Dinner on November 16, Winnipeg elected and administrative leadership have signed up for a night of “speed dating” conversation to hear your priorities, problems and suggestions as we build a city that reaches its full potential.
Before the big night, we asked members of city council to share what’s on their mind, from their agenda priorities and reflections since the last election to what shows they’re binge watching.
Councillor Marty Morantz
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
There are really two things. One is being able to bring forward the largest capital investment in our roads in the history of our City.
The other is being part of Mayor Bowman’s many initiatives regarding openness at City Hall such as a push for open data, hiring our Integrity Commissioner, the lobbyist registry, live-streaming meetings, etc.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
As the City grows towards a million people I see multiple opportunities to attract new industries such as Amazon to Winnipeg and to make Winnipeg a leader in Canada economically and culturally.
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Three: Star Trek Discovery,(in fact all things Star Trek!), the Orville and Designated Survivor
Had you never entered political life, what would you be doing today?
I am a Lawyer by profession and business person so I would likely be involved in those efforts as well as participating in community organizations such as Community Respite Services… and perhaps a little golf as well!
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
Access to Netflix, SkiptheDishes and IBooks!
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
I think being part of a growing vibrant community that offers all the amenities of a large Canadian City such as professional,sports,cultural events like Folklorama, Live theatre, as well as the symphony, ballet etc.
Councillor Janice Lukes
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
If there was only one – bringing broad awareness to the outdated governance model Council is using to share information and base making multi-million dollar decisions on
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
I think the biggest thing we have going for Winnipeggers is our ‘quality of life’ in this City and Province. The onus is on us – the opportunity we have – is to work together – not as an isolated few – to ensure we make wise decisions – that allows us to continue improving the quality of life for everyone.
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Twilight Zone w/ family
Had you never entered political life, what would you be doing today?
Selling off my husband’s ‘hoard’ on eBay (which I guess will be a retirement career now?), then using the funds to travel the world – again – but with our kids!
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
Chilled white wine – chilled white wine – chilled white wine
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
The tremendous multi-cultural diversity!!
Councillor Scott Gillingham
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
In 2017 I’ve been Council Liaison for Labour Relations. In this past year, we have successfully achieved negotiated settlements on new collective agreements with UFFW (Fire), WPA (Police), CUPE and WPSOA (Police Senior Officers Assoc). In every contract we’ve bent the annual rate of cost increase downward to sustainable levels for taxpayers, when compared with the previous 15 years of contracts.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
The Mayor and Council must continue to establish policy to both foster and capitalize on a growing city, with a steady economy. I believe the development of the CentrePort lands (industrial, commercial and residential) will play an important role in Winnipeg’s growth over the next decade.
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
The Crown.
Had you never entered political life, what would you be doing today?
Teaching theology in a seminary and working elsewhere part-time. (There’s very little money in teaching seminary).
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
If it is food items: quality black coffee, tortilla chips and peanut M&M’s.
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
In Winnipeg, there’s 1 (not 6) degree(s) of separation.
Councillor Jenny Gerbasi
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
Signing Winnipeg’s First Indigenous Accord and seeing our city take steps to begin the journey of reconciliation.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
Continued Expansion of Active Transportation and Rapid Transit
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Grace & Frankie with Jane Fonda and Lily Thomlin
Had you never entered political life, what would you be doing today?
Being a Professor in the Faculty of Nursing
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
Tea, biscuits and a good book
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
The vibrant arts and cultural scene
Councillor Brian Mayes
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
There have been a number of highlights, but two stand out: The city is funding youthunited@winnipeg through the University of Winnipeg for two years. This is a project that brings together inner city and suburban youth to work on projects in Winnipeg’s inner city and to study the calls for action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. On a ward level, we opened the new sports field project at Dakota Collegiate with a football field, cricket batting cage and outdoor basketball court. I am very proud to have taken the lead at City Hall on both of these initiatives.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
I think the most exciting opportunity is the area of mass transit, whether that is rail or bus rapid transit. It is great to have a growing city but this presents many challenges, including traffic circulation. We will need the help of other levels of government (or new revenue raising powers) to actually capitalize on this opportunity.
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Not currently binge watching anything, but I love watching Saturday night college football on TV with my older son. A crowd of 100,000 people and the theme music starts blasting “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones – I feel my energy level rising.
Had you never entered political life, what would you be doing today?
If not in politics I would likely be lawyering, and I would likely have the time to restart training for marathon running, which I used to do before we had kids in 2004 and 2005.
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
I have no idea what my must have items would be. I regret never reading “Don Quixote” so that might fill up the time.
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
In my part of the city, St. Vital, I like the mix of the old and the new – we have added the Hindu Temple and the Gudwara Nanaksar, but we still have traditional institutions like the St Vital Curling Club. I like the evolution of the area.
Councillor Mike Pagtakhan
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
There have been many, but some of the highlights have been working with Meadows West School students and area residents in establishing a new multi use path with exercise equipment beside Meadows West School. I renamed the park space as Roger LeGrand Park after the school principal who was a stalwart champion in seeing the green space better equipped to serve the school and community.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
Many great parts make a great whole! There would be many exciting opportunities like more downtown residential development, a multi-court basketball court for Winnipeg, and the development of additional Rapid Transit Corridors.
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Game of Thrones
Had you never entered political life, what would you doing today?
An Architect with a fascination for making wood fired pottery!
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island? Well that’s easy!
A Swiss Army Knife, a TimeMachine and lastly a Genie Lantern!
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
You could live anywhere, and I mean anywhere in Winnipeg and feel at home!
Councillor Shawn Dobson
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
Snow angels has been the most satisfying program that I have been involved with. I was key in getting the pilot project started last year. This year I have succeeded in getting funding in place for the winter season coming up.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
The funding and development of Centre Port could be a game changer for the City of Winnipeg. It will put Winnipeg on the map as a central hub for trade.
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Thomas the Train (I have grandkids!)
Had you never entered political life, what would you doing today?
I’d still be with the St. James School Division.
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
Netflix, carpenter tools, eye glasses.
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
Green space (parks, trails, etc.).
Councillor John Orlikow
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
The Waverley Underpass
What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
Managing growth so all Winnipegger’s benefit
What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Star Trek Discovery
Had you never entered political life, what would you doing today?
I’d be a social entrepreneur
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
Friends, water and food
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
Its location
What’s been the biggest highlight or accomplishment for you from the past three years on Council?
The biggest highlight for me was serving as the Co-Chair of UN Safe Cities initiative that looks at violence and sexual violence against women in public spaces. Personally as a women and a mother of two daughters it was gratifying to be able put forth ideas and procedures that identify measures to protect women and girls.What do you see as the most exciting opportunity ahead for our city over the next 10 years?
The most exciting opportunity I see for Winnipeg is our path towards reconciliation with Indigenous people. Winnipeg has the largest and fastest growing municipal indigenous population in the country and I feel through healing and understanding we can come together as a city.What show are you currently binge watching (if any)?
Scandal
Had you never entered political life, what would you doing today?
Insurance Broker, but I love people so probably working for a social service agency
Top three ‘must-have’ items if you were stranded alone on an island?
IPad, Blanket, Wifi.
Given the people are the best part of Winnipeg, what’s the next best part of living in Winnipeg?
The best part of living in Winnipeg is that it feels a like a small town in the big city. You can go almost anywhere and know someone. But at the same time we welcome people from all over the world to share their customs and traditions to become a truly Winnipeg culture.
