Updates

Campaign Update #2 – In the Community and at City Hall

September 26, 2025

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Hello friends!

Since our last update, a lot has happened on the campaign trail and at City Hall. I filed my nomination papers, officially registering my name on the ballot to serve Elmwood-East Kildonan as your next City Councillor.  Here’s a look at some of what I’ve been working on:

Communicating with the Community

• Community Companions: I had the privilege of touring the Winnipeg Humane Society facilities and learning about the critical services they provide – from emergency response and veterinary care to advocacy and youth education. We also discussed their campaign towards ending outdated and unscientific breed-specific legislation.
• Community Centres: I met with managers across the ward and learned about the programs they offer and where they are struggling. There’s energy to expand after-school/evening/weekend programs – but critical maintenance is being delayed. Borrowing equipment and 9-month waits for hot water aren’t acceptable.
• Community Connections: Rode local routes with Adam from Bike Winnipeg to see where our active transport network is working and where it needs improvement. We need safer connections and infrastructure that works for everyone.
• Community Compassion: Joined the dedicated volunteers and some of my fellow candidates on Sundays CNRC Elmwood Unity Walk. This bi-weekly volunteer led program literally meets people where they are, providing food and first aid to those who need it and literally cleaning up the neighbourhood along the way.

At City Hall

A number of important topics have come up before Standing Policy Committees and I’ve had the chance to present at Council on several important issues:

• Property & Development
  • Vacant Buildings
    • Too many properties sit empty during a housing crisis, attracting arson and draining resources. I’m pushing for Repeat Negligent Property fines so chronic neglect isn’t cheaper than compliance (building on escalator fees that already work for fire safety).
  • Jason’s Corner & CNRC
    • I backed this local project that strengthens community life and honours Councillor Jason Schreyer’s legacy. The project will provide wraparound supports, enhance food security and even transitional housing.
  • Investing in Planning
    • Winnipeg consistently ranks last when it comes to funding city planning – we need to at least double our investment to meet basic needs and deliver long-requested Local Area Plans for Glenelm, Chalmers, and more.
    • When people ask, “Who planned that?” too often the answer is “almost nobody.” It’s time to fix that.
• Public Works: The Louise Bridge
  • The Louise Bridge
    • I urged Council to pursue a full replacement instead of a costly band-aid. A year+ closure means millions of lost commuter-hours, real economic costs, and added emissions. We used travel-time savings to justify Route 90; why didn’t we run the numbers for Louise (or Arlington for that matter)?
    • I asked the committee, on behalf of all the northern residents of Winnipeg: is our time worthless, or is it simply worth less?
    • As expected, the committee “received it as information,” effectively shelving it… for now. The Eastern Corridor report arrives this fall; I’ll keep pushing for a new bridge that properly moves people by car, bus, bike, and foot.

What’s Next

Election Day is October 25. I’m working to reach all 20,000+ doors in our neighbourhood. If you can help, I’d be grateful:

• Volunteer to door-knock or drop flyers.
• Request a lawn sign if you live in the ward.
• Donate to help us reach more neighbours.

Together, we can build momentum and deliver real change in Elmwood–East Kildonan.

Talk soon,

Kyle

KyleRoche.ca | Request a Lawn Sign | Donate