Our Priorities for Waverley West

Constant road patching shows that we are not proactive and planning longer term.

The economic and safety impacts of potholes are significant. Poor roads can affect the efficient delivery of services by paramedics, firefighters, security personnel, and others. Potholes and constant road patching can damage vehicles, contribute to accidents and injuries, and add to the stress of everyday driving. These costs ultimately affect all of us.

We must invest in durable infrastructure that keeps pace with Waverley West’s growing population and the increasing pressure on public infrastructure, including our road network.

Four years ago, I consulted professors in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba to ask whether it was possible to build roads that last longer. The response was clear: yes, it is possible. I have also consulted road construction engineers, who confirmed that better and more durable roads can be built.

As your councillor, I will push for more durable, connected roads and better transit connectivity across Waverley West—roads that serve our growing community for years, not roads that require constant patching.

By knocking on doors and speaking with neighbours, I have heard from many residents that the North End of our city was once a vibrant and safe place to raise a family. Today, many residents and business owners are concerned about safety in parts of our city, including downtown, where people increasingly feel uncomfortable staying late.

Waverley West is not immune to these concerns. Many homes have multiple security cameras, yet property vandalism continues. Local business owners are also reporting security concerns and vandalism. A few weeks ago, I visited a local store and was shocked to see someone use a travel bag to take multiple items from the store and walk away.

I will push for practical measures to keep every neighbourhood in Waverley West safe. This includes proactive community policing, better resources and technology for neighbourhood watch programs, improved street lighting, and social programs that address the causes of criminal behaviour. Safety should be proactive, not reactive.

Aging is a blessing, not a burden. The true measure of a community is how it treats and respects its seniors. They have made many sacrifices for the prosperity of our city and the well-being of our communities. Now, it is our turn to give back.

Every senior deserves access to quality long-term care in a safe, affordable, and supportive environment. No senior should have to wait years to access their preferred senior home or care facility. We need local, accessible services that allow our elders to age with dignity in the communities they helped build and protect.

I will push for safer and more affordable senior housing and fewer barriers to accessing the care and homes seniors prefer. Our seniors cared for our communities. We must care for them.

My commitment is not just a promise—I am already giving back. Recently, I have been donating fresh vegetables to seniors and senior homes to support better nutrition and help reduce nutrient deficiencies.

Winnipeg relies heavily on property taxes and other fees, including traffic tickets and parking fines, to generate revenue. This limited revenue source turns the pressure on homeowners who bear the burden of increasing property taxes. It also implies that fewer resources are available for investment in critical infrastructure such as durable roads.

Recently, water bills have increased, while many neighbours continue to face rising property taxes without seeing the infrastructure improvements they deserve. Some neighbours have not seen significant repairs to their streets in the last 20 years.

At the same time, small businesses and entrepreneurs face bureaucratic barriers when seeking approvals and permits. Some businesses can spend months waiting for approvals while carrying costs and taking on debt. As the former Hub Coordinator of the University of Manitoba IDEA START, I witnessed firsthand the tremendous potential in our city to turn ideas into successful businesses.

I will also review the regulatory processes affecting public assets such as lakes and retention ponds to identify opportunities for recreational use, local business development, revenue generation, and employment. Other Canadian cities, including Edmonton and Calgary, have shown how public spaces and amenities can contribute to local economic activity.

We should build an economy that creates opportunity, supports local businesses, and gives Winnipeg more ways to grow and generate revenue.

My public service is anchored on trust, relationships, collaboration, dialogue, and diplomacy. I believe effective representation begins with listening, understanding community needs, and working with people to develop practical solutions that prioritize needs and resources.

I have applied this participatory, needs-based approach in my work with First Nations and diverse communities. Through collaboration with First Nations leaders and community members, I have helped implement community-driven projects, including the planting of 2,056 pounds of Manoomin (wild rice).

Waverley West deserves active and responsive representation—not a councillor who simply attends community events to bring greetings. I will be in the community, knocking on doors, consulting, listening, and working with residents. I will advocate for stronger accountability, monitoring, public service oversight, and follow-through so that residents’ concerns are heard and acted upon.