Klein vows to freeze water, sewer rate for next two years

Mayoral candidate Kevin Klein is promising to cancel a water and sewer rate hike proposed for next year and freeze the fee for two years.

Klein said Winnipeggers are simply paying far too much for the utility.

“I think we have to freeze them right now because we’ve seen (a substantial increase) in the last four years. We are facing some of the most difficult financial times for families right now,” he said.

He would also ask the provincial Public Utilities Board to set Winnipeg’s future water and sewer rates, a power currently held by city council.

“Winnipeg is the only (Manitoba) city that doesn’t have to go to the Public Utilities Board to increase water and sewer rates. This is how we build back trust. We go to the Public Utilities Board, we present our case and we allow them to make that decision,” said Klein.

On April 1, 2025, a hike to the typical home’s water and sewer rate added $168.03 to that bill for the remainder of that year. The annual bill rose by an additional $44 on Jan. 1, 2026.

The typical household paid $1,226 per year in 2022, which rose to $1,624 this year.

The rate will jump a further $68 on Jan. 1, 2027, unless the province and feds each formally commit $500 million to complete the final phase of the $3.1-billion North End sewage treatment plant upgrade. The province has publicly promised to do so, and a federal decision is expected soon.

Klein also promised to boost the number of planning, property and development permit staff by about 25 per cent during peak construction periods, while also ensuring every building application gets a dedicated case worker.

The number of housing units in the city rose in recent years, as the city used its share of the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to speed up home construction, but Klein said the city still needs a greater push to add single detached homes.

He accused Mayor Scott Gillingham, who is running for re-election, of routinely relying on regional numbers, which include surrounding municipalities and not just Winnipeg, for data on recent housing increases.

Gillingham said that is wrong, stating he has repeatedly relied on Winnipeg-only Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. numbers.

Gillingham also shared a new campaign pledge Tuesday, promising to restore an annual fall street cleaning program.

The city cut that service to save $700,000 in 2015. It has received plenty of complaints since, he said.

“There have been problems with the freeze-thaw cycle. There have been complaints from residents, especially residents that live in areas of the city with a high tree canopy (where) the drains are clogging up, the streets are a mess. And we want to bring this service back to improve customer service to the people of Winnipeg,” said Gillingham.

Neighbourhood action teams, other city staff and contractors would handle the extra work, beginning in 2027, at a cost of about $2 million per year, he said.

The city rejected calls to bring back the service in 2020, when a staff report found its removal didn’t cause a notable increase in blocked catch basins or overland flooding.

Gillingham said more recent feedback indicates the service would help keep drains clear and beautify the city.

Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Don Woodstock promised to eliminate city permit fees and offer $750,000 in annual grants to non-profit organizations running major cultural festivals and parades.

The plan would also create pre-approved master parade routes along major corridors and allow “long-standing” community celebrations to use city property free of charge, such as community centre parking lots, public plazas and street rights-of-way.

Major outdoor parades or festivals held for 10 or more consecutive years would get five-year legacy permits to simplify their annual preparations.

Woodstock said the events attract people and economic activity, so it makes sense for the city to make it easier to set them up.

“For every dollar that we would spend on this, we make $30. So why not spend the dollar?” he said.

Mayoral candidate Umar Hayat also held a press conference Tuesday, promising to take “meaningful action” toward truth and reconciliation, vowing to consult Indigenous communities and leaders on several initiatives. That process would seek ways to remove possible barriers to obtaining municipal jobs, provide affordable housing options to people in need and create a culturally sensitive public-safety plan, he said.

Hayat said the city would also create educational events for Winnipeggers to learn about residential schools, Indigenous culture and Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.

Chris Clacio, Tracey Drexler, Johnny Calderon, Mike Vogiatzakis, Joshua Pagdato, Brad Gross, Mazher Alam and Noah Redden are also running for mayor.

Election day is Oct. 28.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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