Green Space Matters - Make it an Election Issue
Green spaces are important enough to be an election issue in Winnipeg - CBC
Please raise important green space issues with your elected officials. Below are some tools for your assistance.
Ask candidates if they are willing to implement a city-wide Master Plan for Green Space. Our growing population and modern understanding of the benefits of green space require vision and action from our elected officials. Our incredible urban forest, waterways, greenspaces and natural areas are under attack on multiple fronts. The City already has a Transportation Master Plan and a Master Dog Park Plan.
A Master Plan for Green Space that reflects the intrinsic cultural, economic and ecological value of our natural assets and includes:
1. An Urban River Corridor Plan that includes all rivers, streams and wetlands
2. An Urban Parks and Natural Areas Plan
3. A Comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan
The City of Winnipeg has an insufficient number of city planners and requires some ecologists and naturalists for planning purposes such as Vancouver has . The City was required in 2014, to embark upon a Secondary Plan for the south Seine River Greenway with the intent to identify natural, cultural and historically significant parcels of land on both sides of the river. Since that time development has intensified and the plan has not materialized as there is a backlog of plans to be addressed. This is one example of how insufficient planning is affecting our city.
Below are tools you can use to help raise the priority of green space in the coming election.
Letter to Candidates
We urge you to send a letter to all candidates for Mayor and for Councillor. Personalize with your own concerns re: infill housing, children in nature, inner city parks, birding and more.
1. Download this letter
2. Add your personal comments.
3. Save your letter
4. Candidate Email address list. Email your letter to all mayoral candidates and your local candidates.
5. Forward feedback from candidate responses to OURS-Winnipeg at Contact and we will tabulate and share the responses on an on-going basis.
We urge you to send a letter to all candidates for Mayor and for Councillor. Personalize with your own concerns re: infill housing, children in nature, inner city parks, birding and more.
1. Download this letter
2. Add your personal comments.
3. Save your letter
4. Candidate Email address list. Email your letter to all mayoral candidates and your local candidates.
5. Forward feedback from candidate responses to OURS-Winnipeg at Contact and we will tabulate and share the responses on an on-going basis.
Poster - Vote for Green Space View poster
Forum cancelled
Mayoralty Candidate Forum - Tuesday, October 9, 2018 "Achieving a Sustainable Quality of Life in Winnipeg"
Mayoralty Candidate Forum - Tuesday, October 9, 2018 "Achieving a Sustainable Quality of Life in Winnipeg"
Candidate Questions
Below is a list of six suggested questions to ask your candidates.
Question 1 Master Plan for Green Space Urgently Needed
Question 2 Parks and Urban Forestry Budget Underfunded
Question 3 Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy
Question 4 Healthy River Corridors
Question 5 Green Space Natural Areas Benefit Healthy Living and Climate Change Mitigation
Question 6 Protection of City-Owned Golf Course Lands
Question 1 - Master Plan for Green Space urgently needed
Do you support the urgent need for a Winnipeg ‘Master Plan for Green Space’ that includes a vision and a dedicated budget to protect, enhance, and expand green spaces and natural areas? If so what would it take to ensure this happens? How will you lead the City of Winnipeg to meet its obligation to implement a Master Plan for Green Space?
Perspective:
City of Winnipeg documents provide direction to planning for green space though action has yet to be realized. Unlike many other major Canadian cities, the City of Winnipeg does not have a Plan for Green space. Such plans lay out the rules to protect these areas, constraints to govern their development, and ongoing requirements for additional green space as the city grows. The City should now invest the time and effort (in partnership with its citizens) to create a Master Plan for Green Spaces.
Adding green spaces and tree cover will, however, require a shift to long term thinking – especially to plan ways to make room for nature and also accommodate new growth.
The purpose of a Master Plan for Green Space is to plan for the whole of the greenspaces in Winnipeg, and to hold accountable to those in power to their responsibility for putting in place requirements to protect and create green spaces that will benefit future generations…NOT to deal with green space issues on an ad hoc basis, as is the practice today.
The number of residents in Winnipeg continues to increase while the amount of greenspace does not.
Read more...
Question 2 - Underfunded Parks and Urban Forestry Budget
Actual budget dollars for Parks and Urban Forestry have effectively been reduced over the last decade despite a dedicated 4.8% of home owners’ property tax revenue allocated in the budget which should have grown in step with increases in Winnipeg's number of homes and property assessments. Would you restore those actual dollars back into parks, and if so, what steps would you take to ensure this will be done?
Perspective:
The parks and urban forestry budget has remained relatively flat for the past ten years and yet 4.8% of the homeowner’s tax bill is allocated to parks and green space. The city has seen an on-going increase in both housing development and property tax revenue but the parks budget has stayed flat. The city is collecting more tax revenue for parks but it is not going to parks.
References:
Annual Community and Trends Performance Report – PDF page 194 - ‘Basket of Tax Supported Services’ list what on average each homeowner pays for services.
City of Winnipeg Operating Budge Volume 2
Read more...
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Question 3 - Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy
If elected would you expedite the implementation of a Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy and what steps would you take?
Perspective:
The city’s urban forest with about 8 million trees lacks an overall long range forest management plan and the tools to manage it, such as sufficient budget, tree by-law, complete asset inventory and system of accounting for the value of trees and the services they provide. Dutch elm disease has been destroying elm trees for decades and the emerging threat of the emerald ash borer is estimated to decimate the Ash tree population within the next 10 years, two of many problems afflicting our trees. The city must recognize that caring for the entire urban forest infrastructure deserves the same attention as that given to its roads. A much needed recent infusion of over $5M does not replace stable long term funding.
Read more...
If elected would you expedite the implementation of a Comprehensive Urban Forest Strategy and what steps would you take?
Perspective:
The city’s urban forest with about 8 million trees lacks an overall long range forest management plan and the tools to manage it, such as sufficient budget, tree by-law, complete asset inventory and system of accounting for the value of trees and the services they provide. Dutch elm disease has been destroying elm trees for decades and the emerging threat of the emerald ash borer is estimated to decimate the Ash tree population within the next 10 years, two of many problems afflicting our trees. The city must recognize that caring for the entire urban forest infrastructure deserves the same attention as that given to its roads. A much needed recent infusion of over $5M does not replace stable long term funding.
Read more...
Question 4 - Healthy River Corridors
What steps would you take to restore and enhance and our rivers corridors including both water and riparian zones?
Perspective:
In Winnipeg our river corridors, under infill pressure, are getting the biggest developments with little to no new public access or public green space. Focus on the rivers has been more often than not economic development over ecological considerations. Too tall condos and parking lots continue to be built in the river corridors with the south Seine River seeing more than its fair share. The influx of invasive weeds along the rivers is harmful for people and wildlife. Work needs to be done to keep our rivers natural and healthy so they can do their job and remain treasures.
Edmonton considers its rivers and river banks as natural heritage to be conserved with its park system extending into the surrounding communities.
Wildlife and their habitats can be found in cities particularity along river corridors. Cities have a responsibility for stewardship of that habitat and wildlife. The World Wildlife Federation Report 2017 showed shocking losses of wildlife populations in Canada and has called on communities to be part of the solution.
Read more...
What steps would you take to restore and enhance and our rivers corridors including both water and riparian zones?
Perspective:
In Winnipeg our river corridors, under infill pressure, are getting the biggest developments with little to no new public access or public green space. Focus on the rivers has been more often than not economic development over ecological considerations. Too tall condos and parking lots continue to be built in the river corridors with the south Seine River seeing more than its fair share. The influx of invasive weeds along the rivers is harmful for people and wildlife. Work needs to be done to keep our rivers natural and healthy so they can do their job and remain treasures.
Edmonton considers its rivers and river banks as natural heritage to be conserved with its park system extending into the surrounding communities.
Wildlife and their habitats can be found in cities particularity along river corridors. Cities have a responsibility for stewardship of that habitat and wildlife. The World Wildlife Federation Report 2017 showed shocking losses of wildlife populations in Canada and has called on communities to be part of the solution.
Read more...
Question 5 - Green Space and Natural Areas Benefit Healthy Living and Climate Change Mitigation
A. Would you support having health and climate change considerations as part of a standard practice in local development and planning decisions for green space, and if so, what steps would you take to ensure this is done?
B. Calgary and Edmonton commissioned a research series “Building a Climate Resilient City” by the Prairie Climate Centre. The nine reports outline steps that cities can take to engage in climate risk management in a range of areas, including urban ecosystems. Would you support similar evidence-based research on climate change mitigation for Winnipeg?
Perspective:
Green space is acknowledged for the benefits it provides for health, liveability, and climate change mitigation. Canada’s public health experts are promoting the value of natural areas within cities for both mental and physical health. Locally, the WRHA has declared support for equitable access to parks for our well-being. Many of the most economical solutions for mitigating climate change can be found in how we manage our green space.
References:
“The WRHA recognizes that natural environments sustain life. Our health stands to improve when land use decisions enhance the ability of natural environments to mitigate negative health impacts associated with development.” http://www.wrha.mb.ca/community/publichealth/files/HBEPositionStatementFINALOct312017.pdf
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A. Would you support having health and climate change considerations as part of a standard practice in local development and planning decisions for green space, and if so, what steps would you take to ensure this is done?
B. Calgary and Edmonton commissioned a research series “Building a Climate Resilient City” by the Prairie Climate Centre. The nine reports outline steps that cities can take to engage in climate risk management in a range of areas, including urban ecosystems. Would you support similar evidence-based research on climate change mitigation for Winnipeg?
Perspective:
Green space is acknowledged for the benefits it provides for health, liveability, and climate change mitigation. Canada’s public health experts are promoting the value of natural areas within cities for both mental and physical health. Locally, the WRHA has declared support for equitable access to parks for our well-being. Many of the most economical solutions for mitigating climate change can be found in how we manage our green space.
References:
“The WRHA recognizes that natural environments sustain life. Our health stands to improve when land use decisions enhance the ability of natural environments to mitigate negative health impacts associated with development.” http://www.wrha.mb.ca/community/publichealth/files/HBEPositionStatementFINALOct312017.pdf
Read more...
Question 6 - Protection of City-Owned Golf Courses Lands
If elected, what steps would you take to protect the city-owned golf courses as green spaces for public access and to ensure they are available for generations to come, if not as golf courses than as parks? What steps will you take to maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of these lands, many located along river corridors?
Perspective:
City-owned golf courses are first and foremost green space as they are zoned park land. The Winnipeg Charter requires City Council to meet a higher standard to make changes to land that is zoned park land by requiring a 2/3 vote, providing extra protection from conversion of parks to non-park uses. The 12 city-owned golf courses make up 12% (1200 acres) of park zoned land in the city, a significant portion of parkland and connecting green ways.
The golf courses are mostly located in areas that are identified for densification which makes it important for them to remain as greenspace to serve a growing population. These lands are under threat from development each time their leases expire forcing residents to rally to protect them.
Lease renewals for City-owned golf courses should include standards to improve their ecological attributes. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses provides a program for the ecological management of golf courses.
Read more...
If elected, what steps would you take to protect the city-owned golf courses as green spaces for public access and to ensure they are available for generations to come, if not as golf courses than as parks? What steps will you take to maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of these lands, many located along river corridors?
Perspective:
City-owned golf courses are first and foremost green space as they are zoned park land. The Winnipeg Charter requires City Council to meet a higher standard to make changes to land that is zoned park land by requiring a 2/3 vote, providing extra protection from conversion of parks to non-park uses. The 12 city-owned golf courses make up 12% (1200 acres) of park zoned land in the city, a significant portion of parkland and connecting green ways.
The golf courses are mostly located in areas that are identified for densification which makes it important for them to remain as greenspace to serve a growing population. These lands are under threat from development each time their leases expire forcing residents to rally to protect them.
Lease renewals for City-owned golf courses should include standards to improve their ecological attributes. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses provides a program for the ecological management of golf courses.
Read more...
Alternative Municipal Budget 2018
The Alternative Municipal Budget includes a budget for a green space plan
OURS-Winnipeg - 2018 Alternative Budget budgets for a Master Plan for Green Space
Full Alternative Municipal Budget 2018
References October 2018
1. Master Plan for Green Space
*Green Space Matters - Sharing a Vision for Winnipeg - From OURS-Winnipeg Speak-up public engagement event Nov 2017
* 2018 Alternate Municipal Budget Manitoba - Greenspace Chapter
* References to Green Spaces in City Planning Documents 2016
* Green Spaces are Important enough to be an Election Issue CBC, June 2018
* Partnership of the Manitoba Capital Region proposes concrete steps to establish a coordinated regional planning strategy, including stewardship of land, water and resources.
* New Ways to Look at Old Spaces - A vision for Green Infrastructure Networks
2. Parks and Urban Forestry Budget
* Community Trends and Performance Report 2018 PDF page 194
3. Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy
* The Social and Economic Value of Canada's Urban Forest
4. Healthy River Corridors
* Cities and Biodiversity: Exploring how Edmonton and Montreal are Mainstreaming the Urban Biodiversity Movement
5. Green Space and Natural Areas Benefit Healthy Living and Climate Change Mitigation
* Cities and Biodiversity
* Healthy Parks and Healthy People's Forum 2019
* Urban Green Space and Mental Health
* Urban Green Space and Crime
* Prairie Climate Centre - Building a Climate Resilient City: Urban Ecosystems
6. Protection of City-owned Golf Courses
* Selling Golf Courses to Developers a Permanent Loss 2011
* Golf Course Sale and Leasing - The Facts 2013
* Candidate questions posted above on this page contain additional resources.
1. Master Plan for Green Space
*Green Space Matters - Sharing a Vision for Winnipeg - From OURS-Winnipeg Speak-up public engagement event Nov 2017
* 2018 Alternate Municipal Budget Manitoba - Greenspace Chapter
* References to Green Spaces in City Planning Documents 2016
* Green Spaces are Important enough to be an Election Issue CBC, June 2018
* Partnership of the Manitoba Capital Region proposes concrete steps to establish a coordinated regional planning strategy, including stewardship of land, water and resources.
* New Ways to Look at Old Spaces - A vision for Green Infrastructure Networks
2. Parks and Urban Forestry Budget
* Community Trends and Performance Report 2018 PDF page 194
3. Comprehensive Urban Forestry Strategy
* The Social and Economic Value of Canada's Urban Forest
4. Healthy River Corridors
* Cities and Biodiversity: Exploring how Edmonton and Montreal are Mainstreaming the Urban Biodiversity Movement
5. Green Space and Natural Areas Benefit Healthy Living and Climate Change Mitigation
* Cities and Biodiversity
* Healthy Parks and Healthy People's Forum 2019
* Urban Green Space and Mental Health
* Urban Green Space and Crime
* Prairie Climate Centre - Building a Climate Resilient City: Urban Ecosystems
6. Protection of City-owned Golf Courses
* Selling Golf Courses to Developers a Permanent Loss 2011
* Golf Course Sale and Leasing - The Facts 2013
* Candidate questions posted above on this page contain additional resources.
