Our interview with North Kildonan Councilor Jeff Browaty went so well, we took it into overtime to get his thoughts on the biggest regional story of the summer for Episode 25!
The collapse of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region’s vaunted Plan20-50 started with Marty Gold’s column in the Winnipeg Sun alerting the public of the serious flaws stakeholders exposed at first Public Hearing.
Then when 600 concerned citizens showed up for the next hearing in Niverville- the WMR postponed the session until a bigger venue could be found.
But the tide had turned. Rural municipalities spoke out with their own concerns about the WMR itself, the power grab to control elected RM councils, and the ‘Winnipeg veto’.
Winnipeg councillors were remarkably silent about Gillingham not bringing the plan back to City Council for their review and approval- something Gillingham voted for when Brian Bowman was mayor. And so did Jeff Browaty.
- We need your help! The Season 5 Funding Drive is within $2500 of our budget goal!
- Click here to donate today
Part 1- Marty updates the audience on the Winnipeg Sun’s shift to a broadsheet format, the closure of 4 more 7-Elevens and the failure of civic leaders, and the fear of cat killers roaming the inner city – which CBC and the Free Press refuse to report.
Then you’ll hear why the RM of Macdonald has also rejected Plan20-50. That is 12 (out of 18) Metro members to turn thumbs down on it.
14.10 Part 2- An EPC member, Coun. Browaty doesn’t recall if Council was briefed on the Open House held by the WMR last November- and was not aware of the proposed 10 year hold to making changes to Plan20-50.
He says the problems of the “well intended plan” are rooted in being a “creature of the Brian Pallister regime.”
“Their communications were abhorrently bad. It was all concentrated power in the Premier’s office, he didn’t like talking to people whether it was his Ministers, to the media, to the public.”
Browaty addresses what he calls “conspiracy theories” of Plan20-50 opponents –
“Is there going to be some shock collar or toll gate or Checkpoint Charlie to prevent you from going beyond your area? Nooo… these Capital Region reeves are not these WEF folks, they’re good Joe Lunchbox municipal leaders.”
21.40 – Regarding the City Transportation2050 plan which is subject to any over-riding Metro blueprint, “I don’t think most residents have any interest or care.”
The large crowd in Niverville was drawn under “false pretences”, Browaty insists.
“We aren’t going to be restricting peoples movements,” and will table a motion to confirm it: “Yes yes, if it makes people feel better, absolutely.”
Agreeing that any revised plan needs to have proper public consultation, he’s focused on protecting “the Winnipeg advantage”, and mentions the surrounding RMs need to pick up some of our “heavy costs”.
27.30 – Meanwhile, dissenting RMs mentioned WMR fees and costs- and Browaty agrees. “You’re right, those consulting dollars were not small.”
He describes getting earlier briefings about Plan20-50 but he saw “nothing eye-pokingly problematic” and as for feedback from NK residents, “the concerns were about stuff I don’t think are going to see the light of day.”
Browaty calls Plan20-50 “basically dead in the water” but maintains “there’s a big advantage to better coordinating the Capital Region.”
“Let’s find a way where we can sell the region,” he concludes, after agreeing to ensure Council will vote on any future blueprint.
36.20 Part 3 – Marty has a bit about Pallister, more about Browaty’s comments, and a lot about how the local media can’t give credence to the Hail Mary PR blitz of Plan20-50 supporters or call the rebellious RMs misinformed.
Also- we’re looking at holding a Town Hall – Interested? Let us know!
E-transfers, sponsor inquiries, comments – [email protected]
Read Marty Gold’s column in the Sun on the first anniversary of October 7: Courting Hamas supporters shows our PM to be morally bankrupt
