Winnipeg's Worst Enemy: Winnipeggers
Dec 15, 2008
apartment,, housing,, treatment
I was recently surprised to see a full-page ad from the Manitoba Government in Time magazine. I’m not sure what surprised me more: the fact that the Government would spring for full-page ad in Time or the fact that they were trying to attract people from other provinces as Alberta and others have done for many years now.
As Manitobans we don’t often puff out our chests about all of the great things that make this our home. But the ad did a good job of pitching the kinds of things that many of us love about our province, including: affordable housing (yes it still is affordable compared to other provinces), an abundance of beautiful cottage country, short commutes, a stable economy, and a favorable work/life balance.
For those of us who really care for this province, it’s the kind of good news stuff that we like to hear from time to time – certainly it’s a breath of fresh air from the grow-op raids, shootings and stolen car chases that tend to dominate our local airwaves.
As a Winnipegger, whenever I’ve had to describe our city to someone from out-of-province, I’ve always said that it “feels like a very large small town”. And in a literal sense I think most people who’ve lived in large cities would agree. Without freeways and an abundance of traffic lights on every major route, our stop and go commute always makes it feel as though you’re driving down some town’s main street, whether you’re in St. James, Transcona, Fort Richmond or Garden City.
I also like to say that Winnipeg has more of a small-town feel in comparison to other urban centres because of the culture and the type of people that call this city home. In Winnipeg it’s more like 3 or 4 degrees of separation, rather than six. It’s the kind of place where people put on a social to raise money for a neighbour who’s fighting a terminal illness, the kind of place where people donate clothing and money to perfect strangers who’ve just lost everything in a house fire. It’s this small town feeling and sense of community that I love about Winnipeg.
Yet I can’t help but be baffled by our fear of change; and let’s face it, there are many parts of our city that need to change.
Recently, a Vancouver development company withdrew its application to build two new apartment towers in addition to two twoers that already exist in North Kildonan. The reason: public opposition due to safety and traffic concerns. Whether their concerns were based on any actual studies or facts, I have never heard. What I can say is these opponents seem overjoyed in successfully putting the kibosh on the project, rather than find a way to make it work for everyone.
So let’s see, the high-rise apartments would have injected $50 million worth of investment into our city, added half-a-million dollars to the property-tax base and created hundreds of jobs in the process. Yet, we’re supposed to be over the moon that the project is dead.
Hmmm. We must be swimming in apartment space in this city… right? Well, actually the vacancy rate in Winnipeg is at about 1%. And I guess the last thing we’d want to add to our local economy at a time of global fiscal unrest is more jobs…right?
I’m not saying that every developer that comes along with a project should be given the green light without public input. I’m just asking why Winnipeggers must have such a knee-jerk reaction against any type of change? Because, let’s face it, that’s what this is about.
It’s no different than the folks who opposed the site of the MTS Centre, the idea of a stadium in Fort Richmond, or a rapid transit system. It’s clear the opponents to the apartment tower don’t like change. Some say it would have spoiled their view. Others feared of having a monolith hovering over their houses. Fair enough. But is that enough of a reason to keep the city from evolving. Doesn’t that seem a bit selfish? We’re not talking about a hog-processing plant here people. We’re talking about new living spaces for families.
Why can’t we find a way for developers, citizens and city planners to work together to complete some much-needed projects, rather than chase off any would-be developers with little more of a reason than “we just don’t want to change”?
Perhaps this is what Winnipeggers want. Perhaps that’s why some people like living here. Compared to other large Canadian cities, it’s simple, slow-paced and static.
I like to think that some Winnipeggers want more. But the longer I live here, the more I fear the average Winnipegger is satisfied with the status quo.
Comments
Comments are now closed
I couldn't agree more Jeremy, and may I say a great article. It's funny I saw the same advertisement in TIME and was quite surprised but if I were to see a Toronto or Vancouver ad, I wouldn't think twice of it. We really are our own worst enemy, and anyone I've talked to who has visited, has been pleasantly surprised at how nice and beautiful our city was. It's frustrating as a young Pegger, we have so many opposed to change and perhaps that is the small town mentality that makes us uniquely Winnipeg . I for one am excited with the addition of new facilities and attractions to our city and I hope this trend continues, heck we finally got an Ikea, next.....a new stadium? I'm sure those afraid of change will have their pens ready and phone in hands to complain to their city councilor, but just for once, those who want change...speak up!!! and make a difference in this great city.
chris85 - -0001-11-30 00:00
I for one am glad that there are some projects that have gone ahead despite negative public opinion, like the MTS centre. That centre has put Winnipeg on a map because of all of the great events. I sure hope the next big change will be a new mayor. One that can make great improvements to the image of our city. I sure do love this province and I am proud in our efforts to attract more people to it. Great article, I enjoyed it.
Mike - -0001-11-30 00:00