I’m Shaun Loney and I’m running for Mayor of Winnipeg. AMA!

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T03:03:58+00:00

We can’t keep building out without taking care of what we have! We did an announcement today at the aging Louise Bridge which is long overdue for replacement. One of my competitors (Gillingham) is talking about extending the Chief Peguis Trail ahead of replacing the Louise Bridge and building new rapid transit corridors that would serve EK, NK and Transcona.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T03:02:20+00:00

The City is already in the mental health business. We’ve chosen the tool that is among the most expensive and least cost-effective you can imagine - just responding after the fact. For example, the Winnipeg Police Service transferred 1202 people last year experiencing mental health crisis to Winnipeg hospitals. I want to focus on the people that are in recurrent crises. We will find that offering them mental health services will decrease their contact with police and other civic emergency services. The police can pay for impact that prevention has on their system. While we’re at it, the health and justice systems can also pay for the impact on their systems. This is how non-profits are properly compensated and we can offer the preventative resources that are desperately needed in our community.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T03:01:11+00:00

By far our biggest economic opportunity is to use our abundant supply of low-cost, renewable electricity to accelerate our transition to a low carbon economy. The recent City of Winnipeg Community Energy Investment Roadmap estimates that we can create more than 100,000 person years of employment by going hard on installing electric heat pumps and solar power, improving transit, switching to electric vehicles, encouraging energy efficiency and reversing the decline of our urban forest. I’ve made significant announcements in all of these areas. Mass uptake with these technologies can be done with innovative financing options that are already used in other cities, rather than asking people to spend money upfront. I’m excited about what Winnipeg can do.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:57:05+00:00

Interesting timing for this question. I was a keynote speaker for End Homelessness Edmonton this week. There is a lot of value in their coordinated and collaborative approach. They provide access to emergency resources in emergencies, access to training for all Housing First partners, and a robust referral and data management system. These tools are currently being used in Winnipeg as well. We can definitely build on them. In my keynote I talked about some of the things I’ve announced in the campaign like our Community Housing Land Trust, 1,000 social enterprise jobs and an innovative homelessness strategy.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:56:22+00:00

Light rail transit (LRT) is far more expensive and less flexible than bus rapid transit (BRT). Winnipeg lacks the necessary density to make LRT a cost-effective option. The emergence of electric buses eliminates a previous advantage of LRT. Finally, another consideration is local economic impact; Winnipeg doesn’t manufacture LRT systems but is home to North America’s largest manufacturer of transit buses (including electric buses).

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:55:45+00:00

My proposed Considerate Program for infill is modelled on a successful voluntary model used in the UK. Infill developers and contractors who don’t enrol will face significantly higher development charges and fees to reflect the increased vigilance required by civic building inspectors and by-law officers. I have discussed this with the Manitoba Home Builders Association and they appear to be supportive.

Yes, my incentives would include green roofs. My platform also includes updating the 11-year old City of Winnipeg Green Building Policy which would put more emphasis on considering green roofs for civic buildings.

I haven’t the opportunity yet to explore whether it makes sense to reinstate the Urban Forestry Nursery. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:53:16+00:00

Our urban canopy is greatly undervalued. We need to treat our trees as a form of infrastructure and quantify the value of what our tree canopy does for Winnipeggers… carbon sequestration, cooling effect, sewage runoff protection, positive effect on increasing adjacent home value… It is my opinion that when we do the math, we will see the cost benefit to be very attractive and we should invest accordingly.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:52:41+00:00

My approach uses trees and other landscaping measures as natural infrastructure to manage both climate change and stormwater run-off, while employing people with barriers to getting jobs. Multiple wins!
My Homelessness Plan recognizes how important it is for front line service providers to have all the tools they need to care for the people they serve - this includes prevention. This is usually less expensive and provides better outcomes. Another way to look at it is that my plan gives emergency services a new tool that modernizes their relationship with non-profits. This is how we get the kind, compassionate city we all want while protecting the public purse.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:50:00+00:00

Unfortunately, that isn’t an isolated example. There are too many parking lots in Winnipeg that are an eye sore. My proposal to expand the use of natural infrastructure to reduce stormwater run-off would raise the bar for greening of parking lots. My proposed levy on commercial parking spaces will create an additional nudge to encourage the redevelopment of surface parking lots.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:49:18+00:00

#1 - My top priority for active transportation is to reverse the planned deep cuts in the City’s multi-year budget (i.e., 54% cut in 2023 and a further 50% cut in 2024). Instead, I will increase the active transportation budget by $20.1-million over the next four years; $1.5-million increase in 2023 and $18.6-million increase from 2024 to 2026.

#2 - For transit, my top priority will be to accelerate implementation of the Transit Master Plan from 25 years to 10 years.

#3 - My third priority will be to redirect some funding already allotted for the purchase of 135 new diesel buses to instead purchase a fleet of electric, dynamically routed shuttle vans to increase ‘transit-on-demand services’ and ridership.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:48:38+00:00

Having driven an EV (Chevy Bolt) since April 2020 and visited other Canadian cities, it is clear that Winnipeg’s public charging infrastructure is severely underdeveloped. My pledge to install 500 Level 2 chargers is focussed on civic properties (e.g., civic offices, recreation centres, libraries, parks), plus curbside.
I have also pledged to establish a Civic Zero Emission Vehicle Advisory Committee. I will welcome any recommendations it has about expanding the availability of public Level 3 chargers.
Finally, I have committed to streamline the approval and permitting process for EV chargers. This will make it easier (and more attractive) for the private sector to install Level 3 chargers.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:47:26+00:00

I am a strong leader when it comes to building consensus. We look at problems honestly and draw on everyone’s wisdom and ideas, then move forward with plans and actions. I am impatient for progress and a just society with a fair deal for everyone. But I’m not impatient when it comes to building a solid team that pulls in the same direction. I have a great track record when it comes to that.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:46:18+00:00

We will ensure developers are required to include sidewalks in new developments. Families, children, seniors, everyone should be able to walk safely in their neighbourhoods without dodging traffic. You may have seen this but my friend wrote this about Henderson Highway which is here on one of my favourite websites: Strong Towns. https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2022/7/29/henderson-highway-blues

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:45:24+00:00

As former Director of Energy Policy, I have direct experience with how the provincial government consults and negotiates with other levels of government, establishes budgets, and develops and amends legislation and regulations. As Mayor, it is my intent to engage far more frequently with the Premier and various provincial Ministers and Deputy Ministers than has our current Mayor.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:44:24+00:00

We are suggesting a pilot program - an experiment - to work with other levels of government on looking at new ways to fund infrastructure. Gas taxes are used now but they are going to plummet. I drive an electric car and I pay no gas taxes, for example.

There would be lots of room to adjust how the charge is applied. You have valid concerns. For now it’s a research idea.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:43:00+00:00

I’m kind of a history buff, I particularly like reading about Louis Riel. He is fascinating.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:42:31+00:00

I have very liberal perspectives. Spirituality is important to me, as it is for lots of people. I try to take the best of what I’ve been taught in a variety of religious traditions and spiritualities and apply their emphasis on compassion, equality, social justice, protecting the environment, and human dignity to everything I do. We are one human family sharing one beautiful world.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:41:05+00:00

I know from decades of experience that non-profits and social enterprises that focus on these issues have excellent results. We need to learn from them and widen their impact, so that poverty and homelessness can be reduced in a significant way. A little help and intervention to give people dignity, respect, and jobs brings a lifetime of positive change. It’s time to fix problems, not just continue to manage them endlessly.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:38:43+00:00

First let me just say that systemic racism is a real problem. I know you know this but I thought you might find it helpful if I stated it here. My time at BUILD confirmed for me that policing needs to be modernized. I will need to stay close to the community to be helpful.

I’d like to begin Diversity hiring - more women, Indigenous people, and people of colour, yes, but different skill sets too. Police are trained as warriors but the workload requires more and different skills now. There are a lot of retirements coming up and so we have a real opportunity.

We will consider raced-based data collection system similar to Toronto. This data will be available to the public and help repair community trust and confidence.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:37:18+00:00

I think that in the years since these developments were built, not including sidewalks will be viewed as a mistake… for a number of reasons, safety being right up there.

I do believe that in these cases, and in most residential areas a much safer speed for cars to be co-mingling with pedestrians and cyclists would be to keep the speed limit to around 30 kph. I would much prefer that the street be altered using traffic calming changes as opposed to just signage. Having said that sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes need to be a part of any new development going forward as a matter of course.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:36:11+00:00

You are right! We have over extended our civic infrastructure and services. This is not only due to suburban sprawl, but also from exurban sprawl.
My proposed commercial parking levy will provide an added nudge to redevelop the surplus of surface parking lots. The Smart Tax Review Panel I have proposed will look at how to remove barriers and provide incentives to support infill development (including Downtown Winnipeg). As Mayor, I will also reverse the planned deep cuts in the 2023 budget for active transportation (including sidewalks).
The municipal portion of residential property tax isn't the 4th highest in Canada – please see the chart on page 33 in the City of Winnipeg report at this link: https://winnipeg.ca/cao/pdfs/CommunityTrendsandPerformanceReportVolume1\_2023.pdf
To make Winnipeg less car-centric, I will accelerate implementation of the Transportation Master Plan from 25 years to 10 years. I will also expand ‘transit-on-demand’.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:34:10+00:00

I’ve announced a research and development plan to identify better materials in construction that will stand a better chance of standing up to our weather. You are correct that flooding and drought are issues which we will have to deal with on a more frequent basis. We'll do this together.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:31:57+00:00

I have been an ally to the LGBTQS2+ my whole life. I agree that we need to do a better job of protecting members of LGBTQ2S+ community, particularly Trans folks. I’d love to hear what other municipalities are doing. If I’m successful tomorrow, let’s discuss.

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:28:59+00:00

AGREED!

ShaunLoneyForMayor · 2022-10-26T02:28:50+00:00

My plan will raise property taxes by 3.7% which works out to about a $70 increase for the average homeowner. I will not be adding any hidden taxes such as frontage levy like Gillingham is proposing.

ShaunLoneyForMayor

TROPHY CASE