Statement from Mayor Brian Bowman Regarding the Federal Government’s Public Transit Funding Announcement

City releases year-end Financial Status Report for 2020
COVID-19 Crisis Cash Flow Management Plan and federal funds allow City to reset Financial Stabilization Reserve as further challenges anticipated in 2021
Released: 9:00 a.m.
Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg’s financial status report to December 31, 2020 indicates a surplus in the tax-supported operating budget (General Revenue Fund) of $2.5 million, which will be transferred to the Financial Stabilization Reserve fund. The City’s year-end financial update will be presented at the meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance (SPC-Finance) on February 16, 2021.
The City received $74.5 million in federal Safe Restart Agreement funding in 2020, comprised of $42.2 million allocated for municipal funding and $32.3 million for Transit. Between the financial levers enacted in the COVID-19 Crisis Cash Flow Management Plan and support received through federal Safe Restart Agreement funding, the Financial Stabilization Reserve has been reset and is positioned to help protect the City from continued negative impacts due to the pandemic in 2021.
Transit is indicating a year-end surplus of $3.9 million following the allocation of Transit’s portion of the federal Safe Restart Agreement funding. It is anticipated the remaining surplus will be retained in Transit to help address the continued financial uncertainty associated with the pandemic.
“COVID-19 had a detrimental effect on Winnipeg’s economy through 2020 and will continue to be an issue we face in 2021,” said Councillor Scott Gillingham, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance. “The City was able to address significant financial shortfalls last year through strategic actions taken in the COVID-19 Crisis Cash Flow Management Plan and allocation of federal funds through the Safe Restart Agreement. Those actions and funding support allowed the City to reset the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve fund, which will be very important in order to diligently manage the city’s finances through the uncertainty and challenges anticipated in 2021.”
The City’s financial update is publicly available through the Decision Making Information System (DMIS).
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responds to fires on Sage Creek Boulevard and Alfred Avenue
Released: 9:43 a.m.
Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) responded to two fires in the city.
Sage Creek Boulevard
At 9:47 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a commercial building in the 0-100 block of Sage Creek Boulevard.
When crews arrived on scene, smoke was coming from the building. Crews launched an offensive attack, declaring the fire under control at 10:41 p.m.
Crews searched the building and confirmed there were no people inside. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and no damage estimates are available.
Alfred Avenue
At 6:29 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, the WFPS responded to reports of a fire in a single-storey home in the 700 block of Alfred Avenue.
When crews arrived on scene, smoke was coming from the home. Crews launched an offensive attack, declaring the fire under control at 7 a.m.
All occupants safely self-evacuated before crews arrived. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and no damage estimates are available.
Statement from Mayor Brian Bowman Regarding the Federal Government’s Public Transit Funding Announcement
Released: 10:31 a.m.
Winnipeg, MB – Statement from Mayor Brian Bowman:
“After years of advocacy, I’m very pleased to see the federal government’s landmark announcement today of $14.9 billion in funding for public transit beginning in 2026-27. Public transit is a crucial service in modern cities and the City of Winnipeg welcomes having a strong government partner who supports public transit. Winnipeg Transit has been the City service hardest hit by the pandemic so it is reassuring to know there will be added funding available in the future. I look forward to gaining additional details on how this funding program could be utilized by the City of Winnipeg.
In the meantime, we will continue to work with our government partners on the existing $203.61 million earmarked for Winnipeg Transit in the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Public Transit Infrastructure Stream which, if approved by Council, will soon see projects prioritized from the Transit Master Plan, including Zero Emission Buses.”
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