Motions by Cindy Gilroy

July 3, 2025 –Time Limits on Vacant Buildings(Daniel McIntyre Ward)

Title: Motion to Address Long-Term Vacant Homes
Date: July 3, 2025
Description:
Councillor Cindy Gilroy introduced a motion at the City Centre Community Committee calling for stronger action on residential properties that have remained vacant for over three years without efforts to sell, rent, or rehabilitate them. The motion directs the Winnipeg Public Service to study stricter tools such as forced rehabilitation, temporary public use, or municipal expropriation. It also requests a legal review and consultation with other cities. The goal is to return neglected properties to active use and support housing needs in neighbourhoods like Daniel McIntyre.

July 3, 2025 – Construction Waste Diversion Strategy

Title: Construction Waste Diversion Strategy
Date: July 3, 2025
Description: Councillor Cindy Gilroy introduced a motion at the City Centre Community Committee meeting to develop a construction and demolition waste diversion strategy for Winnipeg. The motion calls on the City to review best practices, collaborate with the Climate Action and Resilience Committee, and explore regulatory tools to reduce landfill waste and emissions from construction. A full report with recommendations is expected within 180 days.

June 26, 2025 — Expanding Access and Equity at Sherbrook Pool

Title: Council Motion to Expand Fitness Access at Sherbrook Pool
Date: June 26, 2025
Description:
On June 26, 2025, Councillor Cindy Gilroy introduced a motion to reduce fitness and weight room fees at Sherbrook Pool. The goal is to bring fees in line with those at Freight House Recreation Centre, making fitness more affordable and inclusive for residents. The motion also directs the City to monitor usage trends, ensuring the space supports greater community engagement and access to healthy living opportunities.

June 26, 2025 — Standing for Justice and Dignity

At Council on June 26, I brought forward a motion in response to the tragic murders of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, and the woman known as Buffalo Woman. These were beloved community members, not statistics. The search of Prairie Green Landfill is about dignity and justice. We must act—not just to bring these women home, but to change how we respond to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. This motion calls for coordinated action, clear protocols, and a commitment to never look away again.

April 2025 – Motion to Sign the Montreal Pledge

In April 2025, Councillor Cindy Gilroy introduced a motion urging the City of Winnipeg to sign the Montreal Pledge, a commitment to stronger environmental action, transparent emissions tracking, and long-term urban sustainability. By adopting this pledge, the city would join other municipalities across Canada in taking measurable steps toward climate resilience, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting greener urban planning. The motion emphasized Winnipeg’s responsibility to lead by example in addressing climate change and building a more sustainable future for current and future generations.

March 28, 2025 – Motion to Expropriate Lemay Forest

At the March 28, 2025 City Council meeting, Councillor Cindy Gilroy introduced a motion to immediately move forward with the expropriation of Lemay Forest. This 18-acre river bottom forest in St. Norbert is one of the last intact riparian ecosystems within Winnipeg and holds significant environmental, cultural, and historical value. The motion aimed to preserve the land from development and protect its biodiversity, as well as honour the history of the former Asile Ritchot orphanage and possible unmarked graves on-site. Despite overwhelming community support and compelling presentations from residents and historians, the motion was laid over by the majority of Council, with Councillor Gilroy being one of the only members to vote in favour of immediate action.

February 2025 – Proactive Public Safety in Parks

In February 2025, Councillor Cindy Gilroy brought forward a motion focused on improving safety in Winnipeg’s public parks by calling for a coordinated and proactive city response to the removal of needle debris and weapons. The motion aimed to ensure that parks remain welcoming, safe spaces for families, children, and all residents to enjoy. By addressing these safety concerns head-on, the intent was to reduce harm and increase public confidence in using green spaces across the city. The motion highlighted the importance of ongoing maintenance, quick response times, and interdepartmental collaboration to keep parks clean and secure year-round.

January 30, 2025 – Community-Focused Budget Amendment

During the final 2025 City of Winnipeg budget vote on January 30, 2025, Councillor Cindy Gilroy introduced an amendment aimed at funding “Community Connections” services. This proposal was intended to strengthen frontline supports that connect residents with vital community resources such as housing, mental health support, and crisis intervention. The amendment reflected a growing need for wraparound services that address social challenges through prevention and early response. Unfortunately, the motion was defeated and did not make it into the final approved budget, despite its focus on supporting vulnerable residents and improving quality of life at the neighbourhood level.

April 2024 – Motion for Pilot Project: Garbage Pickup at Homeless Encampments

In April 2024, Councillor Cindy Gilroy proposed a pilot project to introduce regular garbage pickup at homeless encampments throughout Winnipeg. The motion was designed to address growing concerns around environmental health, safety, and the dignity of all residents, housed and unhoused alike. Recognizing the complex challenges these sites present, the proposal emphasized collaboration with frontline organizations such as Main Street Project, Siloam Mission, and the Downtown Community Safety Partnership. The goal was to reduce waste buildup, improve sanitation, and support a cleaner, more respectful urban environment through compassionate and coordinated action.

Garbage Fee Reduction

n late March 2025, Councillor Gilroy, representing Daniel McIntyre, proposed a motion to add one percentage point to the existing 5.95% property tax increase. This adjustment aimed to reduce the proposed garbage fee hike from $100 to $50. Councillor Brian Mayes of St. Vital supported this motion

Leaf and Yard Waste Collection

In March 2025, Councillor Gilroy supported a motion to bring some or all of the city’s leaf and yard waste collection services in-house. The intent was to improve efficiency and oversight of waste management services.

Community Connections Funding

On January 30, 2025, during the final budget vote, Councillor Gilroy moved to amend the budget to include funding for Community Connections, an initiative aimed at providing essential community services. However, this motion was defeated, and the council-approved plan did not allocate funds for the program.

Proactive Cleanup of Needle Debris and Weapons in City Parks

“As a city, I truly believe we can and must do better when it comes to ensuring the safety of our parks. We need to be proactive in addressing the dangers posed by needle debris and weapons that are being found in public spaces. Our parks should be safe for everyone—families, children, and all residents. This is why I’m pushing for a coordinated, consistent effort to clean up these hazards before they pose a risk to anyone.”

 Delegation of Authority Demolition permits for Vacant and derelict residential buildings. 

I introduced a motion aimed at addressing the issue of debris left behind on properties where buildings have been demolished. My proposal was simple: if property owners fail to clean up debris, the city should step in, handle the cleanup, and add the associated costs to the owner’s property tax bill. This step is crucial for maintaining health and safety in neighborhoods impacted by vacant and derelict properties.

Additionally, I brought forward a motion asking the provincial government to implement licensing and standards for apartment buildings, particularly those that house vulnerable populations and face recurring issues related to crime, health, and safety. This proposal also emphasized the need for stronger provincial support to help address these concerns. These initiatives reflect my commitment to improving living conditions and ensuring safety in our Winnipeg communities.

 Occupancy permits for garage bins are required for Multi-Family Properties.

In my recent motion regarding occupancy permits, I aimed to address an important requirement for multi-family properties, specifically concerning garages. The motion proposes that multi-family residential properties must have proper occupancy permits for garages to ensure they meet necessary safety and regulatory standards. This change is intended to provide a more secure environment for residents by ensuring that garage spaces within these multi-family properties are properly vetted for safety, accessibility, and compliance with city guidelines.

Implementing this requirement will help create consistent standards for multi-family properties across Winnipeg, supporting both property owners and residents in fostering safer, more compliant living spaces.

City to Sign onto the Montreal Pledge for protecting our environment. 

I recently introduced a motion for our city to sign onto the Montreal Pledge, an initiative focused on protecting our environment and addressing climate change through tangible commitments. By joining this pledge, Winnipeg will align with cities around the world in making a formal commitment to sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting environmentally responsible practices in urban planning, energy usage, and waste management.

The Montreal Pledge is not only about setting goals but also about tracking and transparently reporting our city’s environmental impact. This commitment ensures that our environmental strategies are both ambitious and accountable. By taking this step, I’m advocating for Winnipeg to lead by example in environmental stewardship, showing that we can actively contribute to global efforts to combat climate change while making our city greener and more resilient for future generations.

Investment Strategies for Aquatic Facilities. 

I recently put forward a motion on investment strategies for our city’s aquatic facilities, aiming to ensure that these important community resources receive the attention and funding they need to thrive. Aquatic facilities play a vital role in promoting public health, offering accessible recreation, and providing safe spaces for people of all ages to learn essential water skills. However, many of our pools and aquatic centers are aging, and without a strategic approach to investment, they risk falling behind in quality, safety, and accessibility.

This motion seeks to prioritize sustainable funding models and smart investments to maintain, upgrade, and expand aquatic facilities across Winnipeg. It includes exploring partnerships, leveraging provincial and federal support, and investing in upgrades that improve energy efficiency and accessibility. My goal with this strategy is to ensure that residents continue to benefit from these facilities for years to come and that they remain welcoming, safe, and sustainable for everyone in our community.

Demolition Site Debris.

I recently introduced a motion focused on addressing the issue of debris left on demolition sites. Abandoned rubble and debris can quickly become not only an eyesore but also a safety and health risk for surrounding neighborhoods. This motion proposes that when property owners fail to clear away debris after a demolition, the city should take action to clean up these sites, ensuring our communities remain safe and welcoming.

The proposed approach involves the city stepping in to handle debris removal when necessary and then recovering the cleanup costs by adding them to the property owner’s tax bill. By doing this, we create accountability while also addressing an ongoing concern in many neighborhoods impacted by vacant and derelict properties. This motion reflects my commitment to upholding safety, cleanliness, and community pride throughout Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Transit plus eligibility criteria policy.   

I recently put forward a motion regarding Winnipeg Transit Plus and its eligibility criteria, aiming to improve accessibility for residents who rely on this essential service. Winnipeg Transit Plus provides door-to-door transportation for individuals who cannot use the regular transit system due to various disabilities. My motion focuses on ensuring that the eligibility criteria remain inclusive and reflective of the needs of our community, particularly as our population ages and as we aim to support individuals with diverse mobility challenges.

By examining and potentially expanding the eligibility criteria, we can make sure that more Winnipeggers have access to safe and reliable transportation. This motion is about recognizing the independence and dignity that accessible transit provides. It’s an opportunity to make transit more equitable and supportive for residents who depend on it daily.

Garbage management in multi-family residential properties

In December 2022, I introduced a motion to address garbage management in multi-family residential properties. This initiative requires private landlords to develop comprehensive garbage management plans and provide appropriate waste bins for tenants. The goal is to ensure timely garbage collection and efficient bulky waste removal, thereby maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in our communities.

Additionally, in April 2024, I proposed a pilot project for regular garbage pickup at homeless encampments. This project aims to address environmental, health, and safety concerns associated with waste accumulation in these areas. By collaborating with organizations like Main Street Project, Siloam Mission, and the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, we strive to maintain cleanliness and safety for all residents.

These initiatives reflect my commitment to improving waste management practices and ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for everyone in our community.

Vacant buildings

In April 2023, I introduced a motion to address the issue of debris left on sites of demolished buildings. My proposal was that the city should clean up such debris when property owners fail to do so and subsequently bill the owners by adding the cleanup costs to their property tax bills. This initiative aimed to tackle health and safety concerns in neighborhoods with vacant and derelict properties.

Additionally, I presented a motion requesting the province to implement licensing and standards requirements for apartment buildings, particularly those housing vulnerable populations and experiencing recurring issues related to crime, health, and safety. The motion also called for enhanced provincial support to address these concerns effectively.

These motions reflect my commitment to improving living conditions and safety standards in Winnipeg’s communities.