Aug 16 2024- And Dunnator Makes 6, As RMs Pan Metro Plan20-50

The Great Canadian Talk Show

Friday morning started with our Winnipeg Sun report about the wheels falling off of the Plan 2050 bus. RMs ask province to let them out of Manitoba’s Metro Plan20-50

We have additional details in Episode 16 about why the rural municipalities of Headingley, Niverville, and St. Andrews- and then 2 more - joined Selkirk in pronouncing the document substandard and the take-it-but-you-can't-leave-it organizational structure unacceptable.

The outpouring of opposition followed the WMR having to reschedule a vital public hearing when a reported 650 concerned citizens arrived in Niverville as discussed in Episode 14.

8.30- Among the issues raised by the RMs:

• The forced membership in the WMR was undemocratic,
• The weighted voting rules giving Winnipeg a veto even more undemocratic,
• Vesting the Metro board with final say on local land-use decisions and the power of expropriation was unthinkably undemocratic.

Headingley warned: "the plan is being advanced without comprehensive background studies in crucial areas."

Selkirk CAO Duane Nicol said "we're seeing the disconnect between the decisions being made and the actual on-the-ground lived experience of the communities and the residents that have to live with these decisions."

Friday afternoon, East St. Paul issued a statement relaying "this Bill effectively strips elected local governments of their autonomy, placing final municipal decisions in the hands of unelected Provincial Government appointees."

With evidence mounting that Plan20-50 is dysfunctional, it's been almost like a make-work project for the planners. And under their plan, Scott Gillingham - who supports the plan and claimed detractors had "misconceptions"- is the kingmaker of the Capital Region.

13.00 - The plan opens the door to things being put in later by an unelected board. When it suits them, the WMR calls Plan20-50 a "guide." That's deceptive- because it's a blueprint, with no deviations permitted.

20.30 And then there were 6! Only TGCTS found that the Village of Dunnator had put out a statement abandoning the plan on Wednesday.

The Winnipeg media ignored the controversy of Plan20-50 until Marty's column at this link.

23.33 PART 2 - In contrast to the dissidents, the RM of St. Clements declared unquestioned loyalty to the WMR.

You'll hear just a few of their official responses about "media coverage", "public debate" and "body oversight" that seem disconnected from reality, especially the claim that "the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) is not an unelected body controlling local decisions. Local councils retain their authority."

There is no mention made of the 4 unelected provincial appointees, or of the Gillingham veto, or the power to expropriate RM property.

36.00- Marty gives a good example of why Dunnator would want no part of the WMR having control of the beach at Matlock.

The Metro disinformation campaign is laid bare by this statement:

"These FAQs are provided as information for residents of St. Clements, on how Plan20-50 impacts the community. Everyone is encouraged to read the plan."

However, Metro executive director Jennifer Freeman has conceded, “a planning document like a regional planning bylaw can be hard to read when it's not your field.”

"Read the plan"? Now, that's a scam. You still won't get it, so your questions are just misconceptions and you're confused. Just like those 6 RM councils. That's how planners have rigged the process. Welcome to Winnipeg.

*****

The Season 5 Funding Drive is now at $2905 - over 50% of the target.

Your support has ensured we can stay on the beat with unique interviews and investigations on ActionLine.ca and in the Winnipeg Sun.

Donors of over $250 will get a rare hardcover copy Retropeg, a collection of black and white photographs of Winnipeg in the 1970's by James Donahue. Softcovers will be gifted to donors over $50.00.

Use the Donate page to contribute- or send E-transfers and sponsor inquiries to [e-mail]

Next Sun Column- Save the 7-Elevens