Winnipeg budget: 5.95% property tax increase and big plans for roads, police, city finances  

Public safety, city roadway infrastructure and stabilizing the city’s finances are at the top of the priority list when it comes to the city’s budget, which brings with it a property tax increase of 5.95 per cent.

Equipped with a tagline: “a budget that puts Winnipeggers first,” the property tax increase will see two per cent of the jump dedicated to roads, 1.5 per cent for essential operations, and 2.45 per cent allocated to public safety and addressing financial risks.

“This budget is in direct response to what Winnipeggers have told us are their priorities in multiple surveys and through feedback received at City Hall,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham in a news release. 

“With 65,000 new residents added to our city in just the past three years, the strain on our services is real. This budget ensures we’re taking action to meet these growing demands while setting a path for a safer, more sustainable future.”

The budget will see 36 new police officers and additional police cruisers hitting the streets over the next two years, 15 additional Community Safety Officers (CSOs) and 24 firefighters added to the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service alongside new equipment.

Winnipeg Police Service Acting Chief Art Stannard called the additional officers “great news.”

“If approved, these new officers would result in two additional general patrol cars, the first time in more than 20 years that the number of general patrol cars has increased,” Stannard said in a statement.

“The population and sprawl of the city have outpaced our resources. In 2023, our cop-to-pop hit an all-time low of 167.5 officers per 100,000 people. Coupled with increases in calls for service, it’s not surprising that our queue hit a record high of 440 calls waiting for response on August 31, 2024, and continued to average 300 calls on any given day. Overtime funding has helped alleviate some of the pressure, but a more sustainable solution is necessary.”

The budget also includes $1 million that will go toward youth recreation programming in high-needs neighbourhoods this year, with budget projections showing the funding in place until 2027. 

“This budget gives our first responders the tools they need to protect our city and our residents,” said North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty who is  chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance and Economic Development in the release. “It also invests in proactive measures like youth recreation to address root causes of crime and create safer communities.”

According to budget documents, the City of Winnipeg is making “historic” investments in the city’s roads of more than $1 billion over the next six years focused on regional and local street renewal, with almost $170 million allocated for 2025 alone, an increase of roughly $150 million when compared to this year. 

“Winnipeg’s streets and transit system are the backbone of our city,” said Mayor Gillingham. “These investments will improve mobility, safety, and quality of life for everyone in our growing community.”

The budget also details the need for Winnipeg to re-invest in its Financial Stabilization Reserve, currently depleted, to ensure funds are available for any future emergencies or unforeseen challenges. 

“Despite the growing demands on our services, Winnipeg will continue to have the lowest property taxes of any major city in Canada,” said Gillingham in the release. “This budget balances affordability with the need to make critical investments in our safety, infrastructure, and financial stability.”

The City of Winnipeg also outline its plans to put high-cost departments under the microscope to find savings, as use of the city’s emergency reserve “masks deeper structural issues in budgeting, such as recurring over-expenditures in key departments,” the Fire Paramedic Service, Public Works and the Police Service all named.

“This is a plan that reflects the needs and priorities of our residents,” said Coun. Browaty in the release. “It’s about creating safer neighborhoods, improving roads, and ensuring Winnipeg is well-positioned for future growth.”

City Council will now review the preliminary budget with delegations invited to present at public meetings on concerns or calls for changes, with the first meeting set for Jan. 13, 2025 at the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development.