Winnipeg mayoral candidates promise support for parades, Portage Place transformation and green infrastructure

Support for Winnipeg street parties, a plan to transform Portage Place, and making the city more environmentally friendly were among the promises mayoral candidates made on Wednesday.

Jenny Motkaluk wants to give annual grants of $50,000 to each of the city's four largest parades and street festivals to help them pay for a permanent co-ordinator.

"When I'm mayor, I will provide meaningful support to our largest parades that provide the colour to our world of black and white and celebrate the things that we value," Motkaluk said during a news conference at the Archambault Performance Pavilion in Transcona.

"In exchange, I will expect each parade to make their event the very best it can be and the result should be spectacular."

The Santa Claus Parade, Pride Winnipeg, the Filipino Street Festival and the Sikh community's Nagar Kirtan Parade would each receive the annual grants. 

Motkaluk also wants the city to do more to recognize Cruise Night — the weekly car show along Portage Avenue every Sunday during the warmer months.

"I've talked to a number of cruise night participants … and generally speaking, they feel like they are not welcome. And that's the bottom line, we need to welcome them and be grateful that they're here."

If she's elected mayor, Motkaluk said she would also allow professional wrestling performances in community centres.

Rana Bokhari announced her support for a plan to transform Portage Place.

Last week, a coalition of non-profit organizations released a proposal, based on recommendations in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives' State of the Inner City report, that would see the mall converted into a community hub featuring affordable housing and other services.

"We recognize that this has already been a gathering space for so many years for Indigenous people and newcomers, so let's make that a reality," Bokhari said, speaking outside the mall on Portage Avenue.

"Let's include all the other aspects that will contribute to the wellness of people in that same building."

Using the example of the acquisition of the Hudson's Bay building by the Southern Chiefs' Organization, the redevelopment plan would give Indigenous people the first opportunity to own the Portage Place property. If no Indigenous developers show interest, the building would be publicly owned.

The city, provincial and federal governments all need to get involved to support the plan, Bokhari said.