Waverly West and the area structure plan - Ken Oblik is to be congratulated for promoting a linear green space

Late this afternoon, at an Open House, the Area Structure Plan for Waverley West was finally released. In this blog posting and the ones below, I have praise for Ken Oblik for his concept of a linear green space as well as criticism of the NDP for their failure to release this information in a timely fashion for residents in the Fort Whyte area. I also provide criticism of the NDP for the lack of critical information on provincial planning and commitments for the larger area of south Winnipeg. In particular, I draw attention to the lack of detail in relation to roads, transit, schools and green space. Visit this note and the ones below and see for yourself.


The photo above shows Ken Oblik beside a map of Waverley West showing the green corridors envisioned for the project. Of particular interest is the green corridor on the left-hand side which has the potential to link up to the Fort Whyte Centre to the north of the Waverley West area.

This green corridor was Ken's idea and it's a terrific one. Well done and congratulations Ken! For those who want to see more details of the green corridor, you can visit the Fort Whyte Centre or go to my earlier blog posting on this subject at: http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/fort-whyte-jean-paterson-and-linear.html

The NDP should be heavily criticized for not ensuring the release of the Area Structure Plans for Waverley West before the by-election was over.

The NDP clearly should have ensured the Area Structure Plans for Waverley West were released before the Fort Whyte by-election was completed. It would have allowed each of the four candidates to make clear their positions on this development and it would have provided for a much more effective discussion of the Waverley West development during the by-election.

You know, the NDP are getting very bad for hiding things from the public, especially things that should be available for debate by the public during elections.

The other posts below provide perspective on the plan - and some of the still unanswered questions about Waverley West. Take a look for yourself and let me know what you think by e-mail at jgerrard@leg.gov.mb.ca . You should also send your comments to other elected representatives. You have a right to be heard!

Green space - questions about commitment

I've already mentioned the green corridor and green space planning in the postings above, which praises Ken Oblik and his vision (see photo above).

However, there remain some major areas for which we do not yet have adequate answers.

The thin dotted line in the photo above does not give a lot of confidence in the nature and size of the linear parks envisioned. I was told by a Ladco representative that for the southern part of the area, they envisage the western corridor to be about 60 meters wide. However, we don't have firm commitments in what was presented here.

For the northern half of the region, it remains unclear how serious the commitment of the NDP provincial government and its Manitoba Housing corporation is in ensuring green space. I heard discussions which suggest that part of the northern section might just have a very narrow foot path rather than anything more meaningful in terms of a green corridor. Surely, this plan should have been released before the legislative session ended and before the by-election ended so that candidates could have been quizzed on their views. With an earlier release, the NDP could have also been questioned in Question Period in the Legislature.

Neighbourhood Plan Areas leave issues unanswered

Neighbourhood Plan Areas for the Waverley West development are shown in the above photo.

An immediate issue from looking at this diagram is the plan for the Town Centre Plan Area.

Will this be a region for shopping centres, commercial buildings, office space, industrial space, high rise apartments or what? If this really is to be a shopping and commercial centre, based on the development of other cities, it is very likely, if it were to be successful in a major way, that some sort of "rapid transit" will be needed from the proposed Town Centre area to downtown Winnipeg - and to other places, such as the University of Manitoba. Without some sort of transit hub, people will have to use cars as their primary transportation means and they may well drive further (to the shopping centres at Kenaston and McGillivray, for example), rather than necessarily using the local shopping areas.

It is of interest that when I asked NDP Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Scott Smith in the Legislature about the plans for transit access to Waverley West, he answered with more waffles than a washboard.

Clearly, what seems to be lacking is coordination between the Province of Manitoba (which is a major land developer here) and the City of Winnipeg in terms of vision for rapid transit and transit corridors. Also lacking is a real understanding as to whether this is to be a suburb similar to other suburbs or whether there is to be more effective broad area planning which includes provincial and city planning beyond the boundaries of this region.

Development Plan leaves lots of unanswered questions

This figure shows the development plan and the direction of development for the Waverley West area.

The red arrows show the direction of development for the northern part of the area. This development is to be done by the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation - the NDP government's development corporation.

The blue arrows show the direction of development for the southern part of the area. This development is to be done by Ladco.

Questions which are not fully answered are:
1) What is the time line for development in each area? At the meeting, it was suggested that the first red arrow and the first blue arrow may come within the next five years, but little more detail was provided. Indeed this timing plan raises a major issue. With these two arrows first, it appears there is no immediate commitment to construct the extension of Kenaston Boulevard as shown on the map. The result will be a huge problem in terms of increasing traffic load on existing streets. In particular this would mean continued extensive increase in truck and car traffic on Waverley Street, when Waverley Street between the perimeter and Bishop Grandin Boulevard is already a major traffic problem.

2) What is the provincial government going to do with respect to the intersection of Kenaston Boulevard and the Perimeter Highway. This is clearly to be a high traffic intersection. It would appear, given the high traffic expected, advisable to have an overpass, but the rumour has it that the province will put in traffic lights instead of an overpass.

3) What are the expected traffic flows - numbers of vehicles, types of vehicles, etc. - so we can understand the impact of the development on traffic flows on adjacent streets and highways? The province should have provided its own data on this.

4) Will there be a high school in the area? This was a major issue in the recent Fort Whyte by-election. The question remains unanswered.

5) What will be the situation with transit and rapid transit? There are currently major problems with transit access in significant parts of the Fort Whyte constituency.

6) Where will the hydro corridors be located?

7) What are the plans for drainage in the area, given the major problems with water on parts of this land this last summer?

QX 104.1 and One Big Day for Christmas Cheer

This morning at the IGA parking lot on Main Street, I joined Karen Black of QX 104.1 to make a donation to the Christmas Cheer Board and to help out in efforts to bring in more donations.

There were lots of others stopping by, lots of young people singing songs, and there was a wonderful warm feeling in their tent. Congratulations to Karen Black and all those at QX 104.1!

The Angel Squad and the Misericordia Health Centre

Just before 8:00 a.m. this morning, I joined Susan Skinner (photo) to help raise funds and to raise awareness of the efforts of the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation.

Guess who drove up to make a donation - Mayor Sam Katz - and I was there to serve him hot chocolate - (his preference over coffee). Many others got Starbucks coffee and a Winnipeg Free Press newspaper when they stopped to make a donation.

For more about the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation, visit their web site at
http://www.misericordia.mb.ca/foundation/index.php

Spread the Christmas Spirit

Last night, I was at the Salvation Army's Booth Centre to help with their annual Community Christmas Dinner. Each year the Salvation Army provides a Christmas dinner to those in need. It is an important effort for the community.

The Salvation Army does a lot of good work in Manitoba, including all the effort they put in at the Grace Hospital.

By-elections are a time for fun as well as work

Election day in Fort Whyte was a time for fun as well as work. In the photos, we see Don Woodstock in his seasonal cap. The lights on his hat were flashing all day, as Don knocked on doors and waved signs to help increase the number of people voting for Jean!

In the bottom photo, Jean gives Don a hug for his efforts.

Liberals are the only party to show a vote gain in the Fort Whyte by-election

Though Jean Paterson didn't win in the Fort Whyte by-election, she increased the percentage share of Liberal vote from 19.1% in the last election to 21.4% in this by-election. It was not a big gain, but it is going in the right direction.

Both the Conservative and NDP share of the vote went down from last time.

A sad part of the by-election was the overall low voter turnout. Only about 36% of voters cast ballots, and this is an extraordinarily low turnout, indeed it may be one of the lowest turnouts in Manitoba or Canadian history for a provincial or federal election. Hugh McFayden won with votes from only 19% of the eligible voters.

If you have ideas for increasing voter turnout in by-elections like this one, let me know. If we are to preserve and enhance our democracy, we need to do better.

The photos show some members of the election day team pausing for a coffee at Starbucks at the corner of McGillivray and Kenaston.

Happy Birthday Jeff

Jeff Keele, the CJOB reporter who covered the by-election in Fort Whyte, had to work on his birthday yesterday - December 13.

In the photo, Jean and I join Jeff Keele and wish him a Happy Birthday!!

Rosalind Faulkner Hudson

The memorial service yesterday for Rosalind Hudson celebrated her life, and mourned her death (too soon).
She was a wonderful teacher at Laura Secord Elementary School, and more than anything else a family person -with her husband Rick and their children Ashley, Laura, Matthew and Mark. During her eight and a half year battle with breast cancer, she was a courageous warrior.

My condolences to Rosalind's family and friends.

The Fort Whyte Campaign - Dr. Jean Paterson, the Campaign and the Issues

Many posts on my blog have provided a perspective on Jean Paterson. The summary of these posts shown below allows you to go directly to the posts to find out more.

It has been quite a process writing a blog when the by-election is going on. Trying to keep up with the blog, the by-election, the legislative session, my constituents in River Heights and those who come from other parts of Manitoba for help has been a challenge.

An advantage of the blog, is that I can cover several stories here. Another advantage is that I get immediate feedback from people who read the blog - those who are pleased, those who are upset, and those who point out that I am human and I make typos and spelling errors just like others do.

I find that blogging makes politics more immediate to people. It opens up my personal life and my family to people in a different way. It also opens up our candidate's life and family so that people can get a better feel for who Jean Paterson is and what she will do if elected. I hope those of you who read the blog are enjoying it and finding it useful. I welcome feedback - there is always lots to improve.

Ten reasons to elect a neuroscientist:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/ten-reasons-to-elect-neuroscientist-as.html

Stubborn and thrify - Jean earns respect (Jean and Reg Alcock):
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/stubborn-and-thrifty-jean-earns.html

Jean - a people's politician:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/peoples-politician-jean-paterson.html

Jean and Bob are a great team:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/jean-paterson-and-bob-shiu-great-team.html

Jean - a neuroscientist with a human touch:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/dr-jean-paterson-neuroscientist-with.html

What Vic Grant says about Jean Paterson:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/dr-jean-paterson-her-credentials-and.html

Jean Paterson - a caring person:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/jean-paterson-caring-person.html

The Campaign

My blog has covered the Fort Whyte by-election campaign from the beginning. By clicking on the links below you can go directly to the story you want. The two all-candidates forums are both covered, as are many other details.The campaign nears the end. It is a race against time:


http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/door-by-door-it-is-race-against-time.html

Jean visits the Southeast Education Centre:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/jean-visits-southeast-education-centre.html

The All-Candidates Forum at Fort Whyte School:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/face-off-number-two-all-candidates.html

Momentum is building for Jean Paterson:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/momentum-is-building-for-jean-paterson.html

We need your help:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/we-need-your-help.html

Why we need to elect another Liberal MLA to get better opposition:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/why-we-need-to-elect-another-liberal.html

Justin Swandel supports Jean Paterson:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/justin-swandel-kind-words-for-jean.html

The Campaign Office:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/campaign-office-getting-involved-in.html

The First All-Candidates Forum: http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/face-off-fort-whyte-all-candidates.html

Thank you to our volunteers:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/thank-you-volunteers.html

Working with other politicians - Ken Dryden:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/game-getting-things-done-in-politics.html

Good Morning Manitoba:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/good-morning-manitoba.html

Remembrance Day: http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/laying-wreath.html

The Fort Whyte By-election is called:http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/off-and-running-fort-whyte-by-election.html

Jean Paterson nominated as the Liberal candidate in Fort Whyte constituency: http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/dr-jean-paterson-nominated-as-liberal.html


The Fort Whyte By-election - The Issues

The issues in the Fort Whyte by-election have been covered in previous postings on this blog. By clicking on the links below, you can get quickly to the specific issues you need to know about. There are quite a number of other issues covered elsewhere on my blog, but this gives you a good synopsis of the ones raised by many people in Fort Whyte.

Health Care:

Addressing wait lists:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/health-care-politics-takes-unusual.html

Accountability:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/accountability-in-health-care-delivery.html

Victoria Hospital:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/victoria-hospital-will-it-be-in-throne.html

Education:

A new high school for Fort Whyte constituency:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/jean-battles-for-new-high-school-in.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/new-high-school-for-fort-whyte.html

Post-secondary education:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/strong-voice-for-post-secondary.html

The Economy:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/manitoba-economy-and-why-we-need-more.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/ndp-fail-manitobans-on-environment-and.html

Waverley West:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/waverley-west-send-ndp-message.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/waverley-west-and-ndp-arrogance.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/waverley-west-ndp-approach-is-just.html

Traffic and Transit in Fort Whyte:
Traffic congestion:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/traffic-congestion-needs-attention_21.html

Transit and Fort Whyte:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/why-rapid-transit-is-important-in-fort.html

The Environment and Green Space in Fort Whyte constituency:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/fort-whyte-jean-paterson-and-linear.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/ndp-fail-manitobans-on-environment-and.html

The Crocus Fund and the need for a public inquiry:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/more-on-crocus-fund-and-more-evidence.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/public-inquiry-into-what-happened-at.html

Gangs and Violence:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/community-leadership-summit.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/sadly-ndp-policies-are-increasing.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/what-happens-when-young-people-leave.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/10/gangs-and-violence-missed-opportunity.html

Manitoba Hydro:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/11/ndp-plans-for-manitoba-hydro-are.html

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders:
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/12/fasd-and-labelling-of-alcoholic.html
http://www.manitobaliberals.ca/2005/09/why-does-ndp-not-support-registry-for.html

Holiday reception at the Legislature

Yesterday was the annual Open House at the Legislature. It was a good afternoon and lots of people came to visit. Our office was open and there were plenty of hot drinks to warm people up.

We had lots of visitors including Santa Claus and his elves (top photo), a group of recent immigrants led by Ann Tigchelaar who had come to learn about democracy and the legislature in Manitoba (middle photo), and many many others.

David Weremy (bottom photo) came to remind me it was also the International Day of Human Rights. Others came by to talk about their concerns with the plans to build a new hog plant in Transcona.