April ends with controversy at City Hall – Episode 18 reviews two stories that’s put the pressure on council. In one case, Sals Restaurants being sidelined on a longstanding contract for a pair of golf courses; in the other, inaction by the city has put a venerable community and Metis heritage site at risk of erasure.
Part 1- Marty briefly touches on his attendance at the 2026 Retail Crime Prevention Conference at X-Cues Event Centre and the comments of “harm reduction” workers to the audience, and then on his most recent Winnipeg Sun columns.
– You’ll be seeing some public relations posts online by Sunshine House, which operate a MOPS (mobile drug use enabling) van. This week, the violence around their service locations, and the way they acquired federal drug site exemption, are under the microscope. Read why:
– Sisler High School in the North End has earned praise for building a powerhouse in Reach For The Top competitions, winning the Manitoba senior high championship this year.
9.40 Part 2- Kelly Ryback is one of the best friends taxpayers have when it comes to monitoring spending and best practices by City Council. He joins TGCTS to review his findings on two important files.
The decision to accept a bid from American-owned Aramark to provide food and beverage services at Windsor Park and Kildonan golf courses came at the expense of longtime provider ‘Sals’. Ryback says his research shows it’s also coming at the expense of local golfers, with far higher pricing than the Winnipeg-owned and operated restaurant chain.
The city giving only ten days notice of the change added to concerns about what was in play with the deal- such as revenue sharing or other considerations. Ryback goes through the operational aspects typically considered in such RFP bids, and the political fallout for Mayor Gillingham and other councillors.
Even though many on Council have said they aren’t happy that bureaucrats claim Sals didn’t make the cut, they could be carrying the bag when ‘Canada first’ voters – and duffers – cast their ballots in October.
30.40 Part 3- Kelly Ryback has been involved with the historic Old Grant’s Mill on west Portage Avenue for years. Hear him explain the work he and other community volunteers have done to keep it going and raise funds – and provincial government funding commitments – to maintain and improve the facility.
As the city dawdled and reversed course on committing annual budget funding, the window to fix the building passed by and it’s now been declared beyond repair.
Winnipeg Sun: City hall failure shuts historic Winnipeg Mill
Ryback says that area Councillor Shawn Dobson has only attended half of one board meeting in 2 1/2 years, and his failure to meet with advocates and support the project and help meet required deadlines risked the provincial money, and has contributed to the current crisis. Ryback says the Mayor knew about Dobson’s flippant attitude and said he’d speak with the St. James councilman.
Ryback and Marty discuss the background of the mill site, the legend of Cuthbert Grant starting agricultural commerce in the region, and his standing as a Metis leader.
49.52- “Is this now an election issue in St James- Assinboia?”
“Yes it is.”
Ryback, who was a candidate for the ward seat in 2022, gives an overview of the community affected, the role of former Premier Ed Schreyer whose administration funded the mill as a Winnipeg Centennial Project in 1974, and the role the Manitoba Metis Federation can play.
However, unless the chips fall into place and includes sufficient city funding beyond the rebuild for park enhancements and other equipment, Grant’s Old Mill may not be open to the public until 2031. Ryback says that’s not acceptable.
****
TGCTS is Winnipeg’s only Public Affairs podcast.
* This work and our reports in the Winnipeg Sun are made possible thanks to the financial support of listeners and readers.
* No federal funding is requested or accepted.
* For Season 7 to continue to report on local issues and the upcoming civic election, we need your help to pay the bills and stay on the beat.
* Our goal is $7500- can you take a moment this week towards that goal?
To contribute, please email martygoldlive@gmail.com
