We kick-off Season 7 with a review of the most-listened to podcasts we produced in 2025.
Four of the top 10 aired last January which gave TGCTS a strong start to the season, and overall five of the top 10 featured our exclusive interviews with newsmakers!
In Part 1 you'll hear which episodes didn't make the top 20 but led the months of May, June, October and December.
11.25 Part 2- Numbers 10 through 20 are discussed - which included 3 episodes about NDP cabinet ministers, 2 about safe consumption site consultations, and our federal election coverage launch.
30.33 - You'll hear a countdown from Number 9 to the most popular episode of Season 6 - which may surprise you as it did us.
Among the names and topics that helped drive listener interest in the chart-toppers include Dan Lett and Tom Brodbeck of the Winnipeg Free Press, Coun. Jeff Browaty, Police chief Gene Bowers, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine (x2), and three were interviews with political candidates.
A special mention goes to our tribute to our friend entitled 'About Joanne Cochrane, and other things' which finished in second place.
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Read our latest column in the Winnipeg Sun-
It’s time to throttle Iran-influenced demonstrations https://www.winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-it-s-time-to-throttle-iran-influenced-demonstrations/article_cb4d6c1a-b3ee-4cf2-a637-54d0fdb8a0ac.html
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To contribute story and interview tips, provide feedback on podcasts and Sun columns, or to advertise on TGCTS episodes, email: martygoldlive@gmail.com
Episode 61 reviews an editorial from Don Woodstock about the insistence of City Councillors and Mayor Scott Gillingham to disregard a ruling by the Municipal Board and ram through a Housing Accelerator Fund "affordable" apartment building on the west parking lot of the Granite Curling Club.
"When a win-win requires one side to give up land, parking, certainty, and peace of mind while being told the details will come later, it is fair to ask whether the benefits are truly shared."
Given the effect on the viability of the Club, a squeeze on area parking, and the persistent threat to neighbourhood liveability by a lawless encampment in the adjacent Mostyn Park that was allowed after every major blaze to re-establish itself and endanger the community, Woodstock's points about the proposed 11-storey project should be addressed and not dismissed out of hand.
"Winnipeg needs housing. That is not in dispute," wrote Woodstock. "But how housing is built matters. Site selection matters. Spillover impacts matter. Transparency matters. And whether the public can clearly see who benefits matters."
(We note that according to Heritage Winnipeg - "The redevelopment plans are in collaboration with the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation 2.0" and "the tender is being chosen by the city and the UWCRC, rather than through an open process as city-owned projects often are." The ghost of Sherman Kreiner looms large in this process.)
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Our recent columns in the Winnipeg Sun:
Dec. 27 - Failures on Homelessness file top news story of 2025
Dec. 28 - Safety of Jewish Canadians compromised by political cowardice
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Three pieces of correspondence sent to TGCTS form the basis of Episode 60, which opens with the story of Marty's surprise meeting in a drug store with a former NDP cabinet minister.
You'll then hear a letter sent to Premier Wab Kinew and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe by an aggrieved NDP supporter.
He had asked for help with an arbitrary punishment imposed by Manitoba Public Insurance on his driving record despite a court dismissing the ticket- and got no response from Kinew or Wiebe.
"This record has already resulted in my being denied employment. I am a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record who is simply trying to earn a living."
14.35 Part 2- A follower of our independent reporting sent a note reflecting on the coverage we have provided this past year.
He touched on the federal election campaign, "the rise in unchecked anti-semitism in our city" and "the Province trying to push through a safe injection site that would be so destabilizing to the community it is established in."
21.35 - Listen to an op-ed submitted to local media outlets by Portage La Prairie PC MLA Jeff Bereza, after he took part in all four of the public meetings held in December about a proposed Safe Consumption Site for 366 Henry Avenue in the North Logan neighbourhood.
Noting how the announcement of the new location was made after the Legislature had wrapped up the fall session- meaning there could be no debate about the SCS in the House, Bereza noted:
"Only one thing is abundantly clear following these four sessions: there is no plan."
As the Critic of Homelessness, Housing, and Addictions, he itemized the unanswered questions from stakeholders, and the illogical claims from Minister Bernadette Smith and site proponents about staffing and policing for the drug user site.
Bereza concluded that "The accusation that push-back and questions from neighbours and businesses is nothing more than nimby-ism is unfair and insulting."
You can read the entire op-ed in the post for Episode 60 at ActionLine.ca.
******MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR LISTENERS AND SUPPORTERS!
The NDP government tried to throttle opposition to a drug use site slated for the North Logan neighbourhood by scheduling only one in-person meet-up. Episode 59 explains what they heard at two more hastily-added sessions this week. (Sorry for the blizzard delay!)
Part 1- In November, Winnipeg Free Press columnist Dan Lett criticized neighborhood opposition to the first proposed location for a safe consumption site east of Main Street because "they make them safer and cleaner."
His uninformed opinion clearly failed to sway the residents and businesses west of Main Street, who have voiced significant concern about the unsafe conditions already tolerated by elected officials and police around 366 Henry Avenue, where Wab Kinew now wants to open an SCS.
In fact, the experiences they described last week and again this week demonstrate how proponents of enabling users of drugs like fentanyl and meth are killing the viability of Winnipeg's core area with suicidal empathy.
At Monday night's public meeting, Housing and Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith- who is MLA for the area- showed how disconnected she is from the reality her constituents live with, as she claimed "We are focused on safety and security in the community. Police will be there to make sure enforcement is happening."
Ed Gallos, owner of the roofing company next door to the proposed SCS, rebuked her:
"I'm not very confident in the Winnipeg Police Service... we have to barricade our business, we look like a bunker from the Second World War."
You'll hear the comments and questions voiced at the Chinese Cultural Centre by people who have suffered repeated serious violent incidents with no meaningful response by Winnipeg Police or the Winnipeg Police Board.
13.40 Part 2- The North Logan community held their own meeting on Tuesday night at Pampanga Hall across from 366 Henry.
Stakeholders, which includes industrial, food services, and child program facilities, continued to press Smith and project operators, the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, for substantive answers to their safety concerns. This isn't 'NIMBYism' as Kate Kehler of the ultra-leftist Social Planning Council insinuated- it's democracy.
17.30-Listen to Bernadette Smith tell the meeting "this is meant to bring the crime levels down."
Yet a businessman pointed out that as Siloam Mission has expanded and line-ups outside have quadrupled, social disorder has not been addressed, with officials not even ensuring there are bathroom facilities for the indigent. Instead, cleaning up the human waste left in nearby doorways and on properties became the responsibility of the affected private citizens.
The resulting tensions have community members who confront the derelicts wandering through their yards and using it as a toilet fearing for their safety. There's only so much mayhem and disorder that can be inflicted on a neighborhood.
Somehow, despite being their MLA, Smith had nothing to offer aside from "I'm sorry."
27.50 - Unreported by the media in attendance, WPS Inspector Helen Peters answered a question about her opinion if the SCS "will make the area safer."
We have the audio of her shocking reply, which no doubt ruined Dan Lett's Xmas.
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Catch up on Marty Gold's columns in the Winnipeg Sun-
Dec 10- North Logan neighborhood demands answers to safe consumption site concerns https://www.winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-north-logan-neighbourhood-demands-answers-to-safe-consumption-site-concerns/article_32e5e23b-dce4-46a8-b811-c1b4800f590b.htmlDec 14- Survey says Winnipeg Metropolitan Region fumbleslatest public poll
Dec 17- Anhart's big plans for affordablehousing in Winnipeg
The NDP government attempted to manipulate the public consultation process for a drug use site slated for a small downtown neighborhood off of Logan Avenue- but got big pushback and plenty of questions they don't want to answer. We have a play-by-play recap of the meeting that's a real eye opener about the desperation of the "harm reduction" lobby to give hard-core addicts a place to get high.
Part 1 of Episode 58 takes a few moments to note the recent passing of four people who made their mark on Winnipeg. Marty Gold provides personal memories of 1960's Blue Bomber All Star pass catcher Dr. Ken Nielsen, former Free Press education reporter Nick Martin, retired lawyer and city councillor Moishe Kaufman, and Jewish community stalwart Ruthie Gale.
11.48 Part 2- The theme of episode 58 is based on a recent comment from Marion Willis of St. Boniface Street Links:
“We normalized bike theft, we normalized homelessness, we normalized drug use, we’ve normalized encampment living — we normalized it all."
A consequence of it is a collapse of public safety in the inner city, and Wab Kinew'selection promise to enable drug use at a "safe consumption' site". After the first attempt to ram it through on Disraeli failed, they want to try it again on the other side of Main at 366 Henry Avenue.
Marty provided an analysis of the tactics to limit public participation, and the way it was immediately challenged by area stakeholders.
Dec. 8- NDP tries to rig consumption site consultations- again
Dec. 9- North Logan neighborhood demands answers to safeconsumption site concerns
Tuesday night, the normalization of the abnormal hit a tipping point at a hastily arranged public meeting.
Housing and Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith and other "experts" tried to convince home and business owners in the North Logan area that a safe consumption site is more important than their safety and their property values.
At the start it was announced that another meeting was added for next week, a retreat by the NDP of their plan to hold only one public session. Then, Smith proceeded to lay a goose egg with a total reversal of her assurances of a robust police presence near an SCS during the previous Disraeli Town Halls.
Calling police to the Henry site would be "a last resort", pumping the Downtown Community Safety Partnership handling things. The DCSP is already under fire for failing to respond to urgent situations in the East Exchange- and it doesn't seem to be trusted in North Logan either.
Smith described a pipeline to haul problematic addicts from the SCS to the "sobering centre" now slated for the Disraeli building, but her and her experts repeatedly ducked questions about rehab and recovery programs available for the drug users.
Listen to how "a very fragile community" has been spiraling downwards as Siloam Mission expanded operations on Princess Street, with complaints about increasing vandalism, theft, confrontations and human waste resulting. Through it all, Police Inspector Helen Peters didn't utter a peep. Neither did area councillor Vivian Santos.
42.45 Part 3- You'll hear how Smith tried to leverage the tragedy of a father whose son died to justify the need for the site. He had already spoken about his opposition to the SCS - and returned to the microphone to admonish Smith, especially because his son was not an addict.
"You don't get to own my story," Joseph intoned, warning Smith not to use his family to advance her "harm reduction'" agenda.
Meanwhile, attendees asked about how much was spent on the Henry Ave. proposal so far- and got no answer.
An SCS can affect property insurance and home and property values; drug dealers can lurk in nearby public parks to sell toxic drugs to site users; yet Smith and her experts showed no care for the worries of hardworking residents and business operators.
"It will save lives" rings hollow, when the lives and investments of neighborhood stakeholders can be ruined.
December kicks off with a recap of the visit of a far-left member of the Canadian Senate who tried to tour the in-progress 'sobering centre' that Wab Kinew's NDP is opening at 190 Disraeli. Kim Pate - who represents Ontario- dismissed the idea that Winnipeg residents need protection from out of control meth and alcohol addicts.
Part 1- A hard drive failure interrupted podcast production in late November but Episode 57 is here to get our public affairs coverage back on track.
We're looking to top up the Season 6 fundraising campaign with another $1000 this month to get a head start on paying for web hosting and the ActionLine Wordpress template in 2026, and to provide a Christmas bonus to our volunteer production staff. To contribute, contact martygoldlive@gmail.com.
15.30 Part 2- Legalist Kim Pate has a long history of standing up for prisoners -especially women- involved with Canada's justice system. But when it comes to the women and general public who have endured years of harassment, abuse and violence at the hands of Winnipeg's criminally-inclined homeless addicts, she says the rights of the abusers comes before the rights of the public to a safe community.
A clue why she spouts such nonsense comes from a 2017 interview, after Justin Trudeau handed her a taxpayer-funded lifetime job in the Senate:
I’ve gone back to the call from the prime minister several times in my mind. He said he was offering this appointment based on my career as an activist. That was the word that stuck in my head: “activism.” So I thought, “Okay, well, let’s go.” https://broadview.org/senator-kim-pate-wants-canada-to-get-rid-of-jails/
Marty Gold explains the chicken-and-egg argument Pate hides behind to bolster her argument that "to actually put people in what can only be described as cells… I think it’s rifefor a Charter challenge."
Warding off arsons, robberies, thefts, vandalism, matters not to Pate. She thinks the detention process might "traumatize" the addicts, and seemingly offered no comment to the Free Press about the years of trauma inflicted on women, children, families, property owners, employees, theatre patrons, transit riders and others by the anti-social and violent behavior of the homeless encampment crowd.
30.30 -The attempt to visit the site on Friday exposed a broken promise by Wab Kinew.
Remember it was supposed to open within two weeks of the Legislation being passed? Listen to a media scrum on November 14th when Premier Kinew had to admit the sobering centre would not, in fact, open in November- and why. Only APTN reported on it, why is that?
The split between the hard core “harm reduction” activists and the harm reduction-friendly Manitoba NDP shows how out of touch the radical defenders of lawless violent addicts are.
39.15 Part 3- a brief discussion of why democracy at City Hall is being eroded by poor practices, including bogus public consultations, late publication of meeting agendas and the 5 minute time limit on speakers.
Time and again, some councillors go the extra mile to hear from a wide range of constituents, while others treat hearing from the public as a nuisance. Here's hoping things improve in the new year, with an election on the horizon.******
Have you read our recent columns in the Winnipeg Sun?
Nov 23- Kinew, feds still shroud drug consumption site proposals in secrecy
Nov 25- As the temperature drops, anger rises about transit revamp
https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-as-the-temperature-drops-anger-rises-about-transit-revamp
Nov 30- Too little, too late: Winnipeg Transit faces a record year of violence
The NDP gave the Free Press the scoop on a new plan to invoke an emergency authorization to open a drug user site. Dan Lett accordingly doubled down on the misinformation and myths used to attack the stakeholders who derailed the first safe consumption site plan. As Episode 56 explains, we saw how it really unfolded- and also noticed he got a key aspect of the new SCS plan wrong.
Part 1-Our recent columns in the Winnipeg Sun peeled back the PR campaign pumping the tires of the Parking Authority's 5 year strategy- and it's apparent that trying to rig the upcoming public consultation will not be acceptable:
"Would the City expand paid parking to Sargent Avenue in the West End, or to Marion Street in St. Boniface, or to Portage Avenue west of downtown or into St. James? That would cripple restaurants and stores in those neighbourhoods. Would the City charge disabled veterans to park outside the St. James or Norwood Legions? No one would put it past them."
Nov. 12- New paid parking plan should require a Parking Authority Town Hall https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-new-paid-parking-plan-should-require-a-parking-authority-town-hall
"Introducing a “solution” where no problem exists only creates barriers, not improvements. Corydon is not downtown—and should not be managed as though it is.”
Nov. 16- Paid parking on Corydon? Fuhgeddaboutdit, says BIZ https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-paid-parking-on-corydon-fuhgeddaboutdit-says-biz
Following up on our reports, Kelly Ryback surveyed the businesses in St. James and told City Hall about their rejection of starting paid parking into their area. We have a brief description of the panic it caused a certain councillor.
15.40 Part 2- A news story in the Free Press indicated Premier Wab Kinew is trying a slightly more conciliatory approach togarnering buy-in for the idea of a safe injection site “west of Main Street” – part of the Centennial neighborhood. But Kinew would not reveal the actual address.
The story confirmed that public consultation is mandatory under federal licencing laws. Mayor Scott Gillingham, for the first time, stood behind the importance of “hearing from residents and business owners as to their thoughts related to the potential impact on the area,” while Kinew “dodged the question” from PC leader Obby Khan about when consultations would take place.
In a companion column, WFP pundit Dan Lett dodged the facts, claimed the site was again being aimed for Point Douglas and the East Exchange, and attacked the verybasis of requiring the consultations. Hear his distortions of the concerns and ideas that residents put on the table about 200 Disraeli to try to misinform his readers about how widespread - and well-informed the opposition was.
32.50 - We juxtapose the comments of a Point Douglas resident in the news story - “We’re beginning to feel like a drug rehab dumping ground around here," with the insistence of Lett that's "As it should be".
Dismissing the working class residents and business owners as "champions of gentrification" and "squeaky wheels," Lett unloaded a big whopper- falsely claiming that "Supervised consumption and detox facilities do not make surrounding neighbourhoods unsafe; they make them safer and cleaner."
Without ever attending one of the Town Halls about the 200 Disraeli proposal or speaking to the victims of the crime wave besieging residents and property owners, Ontario's Dan Lett set out a loathsome block of opinions about the people of Winnipeg in the pages of the Free Press. At least he's consistent:
July 12 2025- Condescending Columnist Gets Educated On Neighbourhood’s Fight For Dignity
Let us know what you think- martygoldlive@gmail.com
Episode 55 looks at the first batch of results released about the 'Winnipeg Transit Violent Crime Intervention Strategy' and the enforcement focus on fare-jumpers.
Marty Gold evaluates the numbers, including attempted fare skipping and those who took a hike when asked at the bus stops to verify they had the money to pay. There are also statistics on criminal charges laid by cops for either on-the-spot infractions or for prior cases. The numbers show how out of control things were allowed to get.
While Mayor Scott Gillingham and Public Works chair Janice Lukes are lauding the way the initiative has addressed violent and disruptive behaviour and enhanced Transit safety, their comments may rub some folks the wrong way. Especially when the public is told "we need everyone to do their part" yet the situation was allowed to get out of control by City Councillors refusing to have fare collection enforced years ago.
There's more bells and whistles coming too - a "fare education campaign" and a Transit megaphone announcing fare paymen is required as buses pull up.to stops. That's another example of something that could have been implemented last year, and didn't have to wait until the next civic election was on the horizon.
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Our latest columns in the Winnipeg Sun:
Nov. 5- "Despite the ongoing chaos, visible fire hazards, dirty used needles and close proximity to a child care facility and high-density residential properties, the city allowed the situation to continue until, on Sunday, there were two major blazes– one at each of those locations - within 12 hours. Toxic fumes spiralled skyward, yet again."
Fires and vandalism expose City’s slow encampment response
https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-fires-and-vandalism-expose-citys-slow-encampment-response
Nov. 9 - "Having dismissed the validity of the PDRC complaints without outright calling them liars, Smith then proclaimed, “I have a great relationship with constituents.”
"Smith is lucky she isn’t Pinocchio, or she would barely be able to turn her head in an elevator after saying that."
Bernadette Smith ducks allegations that emails from Point Douglas are being ditched
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For story tips, advertising, or donation inquiries, please contact martygoldlive@gmail.com
An online reaction to our series in the Winnipeg Sun on homeless encampment mayhem and failed government policies has raised an important question for Episode 54- are governments actually bringing homeless people into Winnipeg?
Part 1- A recap of recent Sun columns and podcasts, and a reflection on the 15 years since our last broadcast on 92.9 KICK-FM.
Part 2- A source with access to the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) says that asylum/refugee claimants coming to Canada are "entitled to not only whatever benefits they may receive being refugees, but then all the benefits entitled to homeless as well."
"Between October 2024 and April of this year we doubled our active case files from 5.5k to 11k... these people are entered and processed mostly by End Homelessness Winnipeg themselves or agencies that support new comers."
Episode 54 will make you wonder- why haven't we heard from corporate broadcasters funded by the Liberal government about how homeless aboriginal and other Canadians are left waiting for assistance on riverbanks, while foreign nationals allowed into our country by the Liberal government cut in line ahead of them?
We certainly never heard about it from the recently-departed homelessness czar of the NDP, Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud.
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On November 14th Marty Gold is going to compete in the biggest wrestling match in Canada - the CWE 50 Man Rumble To Remember!
Presented by Canadian Wrestling’s Elite, the event at the Ukrainian Labour Temple offers a great reward to the last man standing- a CWE Championship match at the February supercard.
A limited number of discounted tickets are available for listeners of the podcast and for readers of our columns in the Sun – email martygoldlive@gmail.com for more details and see Marty in action!
Episode 53 wraps up our coverage of the Elmwood-East Kildonan by-election to succeed the late Jason Schreyer on Winnipeg city council.
Part 1- Our analysis: The win by Emma Durand-Wood sets the stage for the organization of a far-left slate in the 2026 general election to try to take control of civic politics. We look at the radical policies she and her backers like 2022 Mayoral candidate Shaun Loney want to impose, and the conflicts she might encounter with Mayor Gillingham and the area Community Committee in particular.
Also discussed - how the race panned out for the runners-up Abel Gutierrez and Braydon Mazurkiewich; whether the chosen successor to Schreyer waited too long to enter the contest; and the rejection by the voters of two city employees vying for the seat.
19.50 Part 2 - With a weak turnout of 15.7%, Durand-Wood gets to make decisions about city spending with the support of just 5% of the eligible ward voters.
Her absurd solution to spur better public engagement? Children aged 16 and 17 should be enfranchised. But she benefitted from a more significant cause of the disinterest in the race- the failure of Winnipeg broadcasters to fulfill their CRTC obligations to provide even minimal coverage of candidates in the October 25th election.
While listener-funded TGCTS invested 50 hours to produce and promote podcast interviews with the seven hopefuls, Winnipeg news operations raking in substantial subsidies from the federal Liberals shamefully failed to keep the community informed.
Hear which newsroom didn't file a single story on their website between announcing the by-election was called, until just before voting day.
*****Read the latest columns by Marty Gold in The Winnipeg Sun- Even the smallest victories eluding Gillingham in encampment crisisCity evasive about rubber stamping a “safe consumption rooms” permit
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On November 14th the biggest wrestling match in Canada, the 50 Man Rumble To Remember, is being presented by Canadian Wrestling's Elite - and once again, Marty Gold is going to compete!
The event at the Ukrainian Labour Temple offers a great reward to the last man standing- a CWE Championship match at the February supercard.
A limited number of discounted tickets are available for listeners of the podcast and for readers of our columns in the Sun - email martygoldlive@gmail.com for more details to see Marty in action!
After being the first candidate to declare, the campaign of Emma Durand-Wood has knocked on every door in Elmwood-East Kildonan. In Episode 52, she tells about her platform, her background in urban issues, and her vision for the ward as the October 25th vote draws near.
A writer and editor by trade, Emma Durand-Wood moved to Elmwood in 2008 from Vancouver. While not being involved in politics there, her rise through community organizing in Winnipeg is similar to the BC progressive playbook.
She's been endorsed by Shaun Loney, who finished fourth in the 2022 Mayoral election as the far left-wing choice. It appears he's the only one from that race to publicly endorse a successor to Coun. Jason Schreyer. Loney has vowed to put together a slate of like-minded people for next year's election.
Part 1- Durand-Wood says that at the doorstep, a "common set of concerns" emerge. She recounts what she heard about crime, homelessness, the emergence of Transit complaints, and "a lot" of people want civic investment in youth programs.
She tells Marty Gold about her own experiences living in the ward and how long it took to get a gang house shut down.
"Have the police been effective? They've been very very busy... we need to take tackling crime as a community effort."
10.00 - "We can't have this chaos of encampments."
Durand -Woods hadn't considered the idea of establishing a monitored encampment at the Legislature. She advocates for more grassroots approaches like Elmwood Unity Walk to help get people out of encampments, but "we can't run everyone into jail."
A Transit user, the new routing and schedule problems "does seem like a pretty big oversight" by city councillors, as her area "got a downgrade in service."
"The smarter thing to do is the rehabilitation" for the Louise Bridge, rather than construct a new one, citing "a systemic problem" that's leading to "massive" deficits in the civic budget.
24.55 Part 2- Durand-Wood describes her personal background in the west before moving here for affordability and to start a family. She became involved in Elmwood issues by opposing a pawn shop licence, then helped re-establish a residents association in Glen Elm, then initiated a tree planting coalition.
36.00- With strong support from prominent members of the bike lobby and the 30km speed limit advocates- two groups that disrupted council proceedings in the last year - Durand-Wood is asked about whether their extremism and rhetoric aligns with her values. She disavows the political violence seemingly espoused by a prominent campaigner for her, who posted that the Charlie Kirk vigil at the Legislature was like "a Klan rally."
46.00- Citing a petition drive in EK showing support of 80-90% for lower residential speed limits, she maintains "it actually is not an extreme idea."
Durand-Wood supports infill housing, and is asked about whether opposition to zoning changes because the demand for housing is rooted in mass immigration is also "not an extreme position". While she shows sympathy for their concerns, she says "Our neighborhoods have been kind of locked in amber... we need more people living in our existing neighborhoods" to ease fiscal pressures.
Voters can get more information on her campaign at emmadurandwood.ca****
- Go to the ActionLine "City" tab to find every podcast interview with the seven candidates.
- Read our by-election preview column in the Winnipeg Sun: Home stretch starts in Elmwood-East Kildonanby-election
- For sponsor or advertising inquiries, to contribute to our Season Six Funding Drive, send feedback or story tips, email martygoldlive@gmail.com
Chris Sweryda was the last entrant to the October 25th by-election, but he's counting on the hard work he did as the ward assistant to Jason Schreyer to resonate with voters in Elmwood-East Kildonan. Episode 51 has a wide-ranging and informative interview about Sweryda and his platform.
First on his list is building a new Louise Bridge, after he learned the rehabilitation plan "would involve an 18 month closure and that's completely unacceptable.... Repair is just not the answer any more." Sweryda believes maintaining the existing transportation network "is warranted over and above the expansions the City has been talking about." He also addresses road and pothole deficiencies.
Sweryda wants more strategic resources provided so that police can fight crime- "they're not supposed to be the social workers of the community."
The ward is affected by homeless encampments but, he says, "It's not as simple as just driving a bulldozer." If the campers move to other spaces, the result is the City playing "social problem whack-a-mole," so housing and affordability need action.
Asked if a managed encampment should be set up at the Manitoba Legislature as part of their Your Way Home program, Sweryda replied, "It's probably not the worst idea to provide a place where resources can be provided and I would welcome the province doing that."
19.40 Part 2- People recognize Chris Sweryda because of his work as a career advisor at Elmwood High School, and his effort to fulfill Schreyer's commitment to get affordable grocery programs where low-income residents need them, such as seniors' complexes. He's now trying to expand accessibility through schools, and arrange more group shopping for places like Legion Gardens to achieve "lowest price on basic food items" - a 25-40% savings.
Sweryda noted the Legion Gardens, as we had reported, had crime problems, as does the entire ward. The recent law school graduate wants the bait-bike program revived and more police investigations to catch perps because "I'm sure the same handful of people are doing these crimes" including "trying door handles every night on every car " - and, as he learned, every daytime too.
32.00 - Sweryda spent years in traffic court and sets out examples of outragous tickets issued by police to generate revenue and overtime pay - "Should these kinds of things really be a priority?"
The school-zone trap on Panet Road is another example of "they fish where the fish are." He thinks there still hundreds of signs missing, Hear his description of City engineers actually agreeing that "Speeding is not a major safety concern."
Sweryda and Marty Gold talk about how the lack of care in placing traffic signs leads to opportunistic ticketing. He's also investigated Public Works 'make-work' projects shifting intersection layouts back and forth. Even tinkering with the placement of push buttons on crosswalk poles has created more danger for pedestrians and drivers.
51.20- Hear Sweryda discuss the endorsement of the Schreyer family, the limitations needed for bike lanes, and the facts against a 30km speed limit.
Coming up- our final candidate interview!
To support our public affairs reporting, go to https://actionline.ca/2024/02/donate-2/
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Special Offer- The Winnipeg Sun Small Business Appreciation Edition on Sunday, October 19
The Winnipeg Sun has always been proud to be a strong supporter of the small business community in Winnipeg. Local small businesses are facing immense challenges — Supporting them has never been more crucial.
Take advantage of drastically reduced advertising rates for the Special Small Business Appreciation Edition on Sunday, October 19, published as part of Small Business Week (October 19–25).
The special rates will also remain available until the end of Small Business Week, Saturday, October 25, allowing more local businesses the opportunity to promote themselves at a reduced rate.
For more information, email martygoldlive@gmail.com
He works in the City Planning department, and the latest plan of Kyle Roche is to become the councillor for Elmwood - East Kildonan. Our series of interviews with the candidates in the October 25th by-election continues in Episode 50 of Season 6.
Part 1- "If I was satisfied with how City Hall is handling things, I wouldn’t be running for Council."
He's worked in a few different city departments, and Kyle Roche has a different way of approaching what's going on- and going wrong- in Winnipeg.
Hear him describe having his bike stolen and why he put locks on his gates. "We need more police... (but) is spending $1 1/2 million a year leasing a helicopter really helping to reduce the crime?"
12.35- Roche believes that "Winnipeg is hundreds or thousands of employees short" due to lower per capita spending compared to other cities.
Roche argues that even though there is widespread distrust of city planners, many more need to be hired. While he wouldn't rule out a tax increase, he believes "the city would have millions more dollars if the railways at least paid their fair share."
27.42 Part 2 - Loss of on-street parking was just one of the reasons why the proposed Marion bike lanes “had some controversy.”
So was lack of consultation- but Roche insists that the problem is city council refusing to allocate funding for more staff. Roche discusses the city's performance with public communication and stalling off public delegations. He isn't opposed to putting five proposed supportive housing sites on the market for sale, instead of handing them over to the province.
40.10- The idea of building a new Louise Bridge finds favour with Roche instead of a "25 year band-aid". He cites truck and commuter traffic that needs to be kept moving. He questions why, unlike users of Kenaston Blvd., east side and north end residents "don't get a cost-benefit analysis. Is our (wasted) time worth less?"
44.00- On encampments, Roche says "It's not a safe way to live and the fact it's gotten to this point reflects a failure at so many levels," but "when we're telling people to pack up and leave, where are we telling them to go?"
He's asked why No Camping signs at Memorial Park are enforced by the province- but aren't by the city in Fort Douglas. "I totally get the point."
Roche also talks about Community Safety Officers, Police Cadets, and not being satisfied with the status quo at 510 Main Street. "Watching things get not that much better, I couldn't sit on the sidelines anymore."
More about his campaign is at kyleroche.ca
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We'll be presenting interviews with the remaining two candidates in the Elmwood-East Kildonan by-election in the next week. ONLY TGCTS is producing long-form interviews with the candidates for the city council seat! This series is an example of why public affairs journalism is important to the community.
Our work is funded by our listeners, and readers, whose donations big n’ small keep the bills paid, the lights on, and keep us on the beat as Your Watchdog!
The Season Six funding drive has raised over $4300 – help us reach $5000 by donating here!
To advertise on the podcasts – email martygoldlive@gmail.com
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
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Read Marty Gold's recent columns in the WInnipeg Sun:
- "... times had changed, and we never anticipated being surrounded, jostled, sucker punched, because Canadians did not behave that way. That lack of anticipationarose the first time I encountered a face-to-face antisemitic threat- but then again, I was only 9 years old."
Oct. 1 - My first, and more recent, experiences with Jew-haters
- "Questions of ownership have also emerged. While the property’s listed owner was unclear, Main Street Project’s flyer suggested Siloam Mission, where Your Way Home advisor Tess Blaikie Whitecloud previously worked, may be involved. When asked about its role and ownership, Siloam Mission did not respond by press time.”
Oct. 5 - Neighbours push back on Furby Street supportive housing site
(Editor's note- Spotify required we delete this episode and republish it. No edits were made to the interview content.)
In a crowded field of seven hopefuls, Zekharia Selahadin is hoping his simple grassroots approach will generate support on October 25th from voters in Elmwood- East Kildonan.
Part 1- He moved to Canada from Ethiopia as a child and grew up in Elmwood, and has worked in childcare and with the Green Team. In Episode 49, Selahadin discusses the top issues he's hearing about at the doorstep- including crime and road and sidewalk conditions. He's joined the call for a replacement of the Louise Bridge.
The new and far-from-improved Transit system also comes up, as "I've seen many individuals waiting for a bus and it's full and people are squished inside it. I've seen the frustrationfirst-hand." It's affected his own family members getting to and from work at night and he worries about their safety, especially with the longer walks now required. Marty Gold asks him if the management of Winnipeg Transit needsto be hauled on the carpet.
25.45 Part 2- Selahadin agrees "it's important to have a car" in Winnipeg but wants residential speed limits reduced to 30k and more bike lanes.
37.25- Crime and disorder from homeless encampments areimpacting the ward. Selahadin says that while "police are trying their best" supports for those who want to get housed need to be maintained.
He's not sure if a centralized encampment area, like at the Legislature, would work because "a fight club" could result between rival factions placed in close proximity toeach other.
The interview wraps up with his ideas to resolve food insecurity in the ward -For more information about hiscampaign, go to his website https://www.zekariaselahadin.ca
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The Season Six funding drive has raised over $4300 - help us reach $5000 by donating here! To advertise on thepodcasts - email martygoldlive@gmail.com
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
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The first "supportive housing" location for homeless campers was opened under the NDP's Your Way Home plan in the West End this summer without consulting the area residents.The results have been a disaster- read Marty Gold's exclusive report: Supportive housing site inflicts chaos, conflict on Furby Street
A focus on civics - and a look at his new book - brings Don Woodstock back to TGCTS for Episode 48. There's lots of ideas, opinions and observations on tap!
Part 1- Don was among the few Winnipeg residents who actually went to one of the city's "Information Sessions" about the five proposed sites for new supportive housing projects.
With good reason, the Property and Development Committee adjourned the Public Hearing to get more details.
As Woodstock explains, the fact his questions would not be answered by provincial representatives who would actually be making decisions about the site populations and service providers, was just one of many good reasons to hit the brakes rather than ram approval through.
He insists that renovating and revamping existing buildings makes way more economic and administrative sense than handing over city-owned "surplus" properties whose value has never been measured on the open market.
21.35 Part 2- Woodstock and his wife each have experience as Transit drivers. Hear why he thinks that the new plan for Community Safety Officers to handle fare enforcement is a smoke-and-mirrors charade to prop up the CSO program instead of hiring actual police. "They have no authority whatsoever."
Between the ongoing safety issues and the disastrous new schedules and routing system, Woodstock says it's proof that City Hall doesn't listen to the public and has created dangerous conditions for folks who rely on riding a bus to get to and from work, school and social events.
"The real conversation is how Uber has increased their ridership" as a result of people being stranded.
44.30 Part 3- Don Woodstock's new book "Unrelenting" is discussed. It's available at donwoodstockunrelenting.com
He tells his story about growing up in Jamaica, the influence of his grandfather, his commitment to environmental issues, and how he created the momentum for legislative changes to restrict the use of plastic shopping bags.
He makes a pitch for ramping up manufacturing of electric buses while noting "the politics is so depressing" undercutting economic development and employment opportunities.
"A welfare cheque is not an income, it's a tax on all of us. People need the capacity to earn a real income."
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Coming up on TGCTS- another interview with a candidate in the Elmwood- East Kildonan byelection. Four down, three to go!
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From the pages of the Winnipeg Sun- Marty Gold's most recent columns have continued to break news and stir up conversations:
Sept 17- Considering that city councillors had just given voice to valid complaints that Transit officials were at the same busy labeling myths, a woman named A.M. drew the correct conclusion. “This is actually the weirdest, most manipulative document city hall has put out.”
Riders push back as City plays ‘misinformation’ card to dismiss Transit complaints
Sept 21- It’s becoming a pattern that when citizens raise their voices about Gillingham’s policies and proposals, we’re told those people don’t matter- because they’re repeating “misinformation”.
Democracy proves inconvenient to Gillingham’s plan for Supportive Housing sites
Sept. 24- “I'm convinced that the real reason why progress is so slow,” said the source, “is because there is so much money to be made by doing absolutely nothing while congratulating yourself for how virtuous you are by protecting someone's "right" to ignore the rules the rest of society are obliged to respect.”
Entitlement, poor results undermine trust in homelessness agency’s success claims
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Over $4200 raised in the Season Six funding drive- help us reach $5000 by donating here!
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
Dr. Ted Rosenberg, who was raised in Winnipeg, has written a book Ayekha about the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the meteoric rise he witnessed of antisemitic attitudes and actions in the medical field and in general society.
Episode 47 presents our full interview with Dr. Rosenberg. He explains why he resigned from a 30 year teaching post at the University of British Columbia after the administration refused to confront the manifestation of Jew-hate in the medical school and among the faculty. He is sounding the alarm for the safety and Jewish staff and patients, and for the future of civil society in Canada
Here is Marty Gold's column in the Winnipeg Sun about the interview:
An epidemic of Jew-hatred in medical schools and health care https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/gold-an-epidemic-of-jew-hatred-in-medical-schools-and-health-care
13.43 Part 2 - Dr. Rosenberg explains that the groundwork for the almost immediate vitriolic blame and blood libels directed at Israel and Zionism after the Oct. 7th massacre was previously laid with an ideological and cultural shift in academia. As a result the United Nations and worldwide institutions "have become corrupted and systemically biased."
Hear how Rosenberg's motivation to speak out started after a UBC resident was relentlessly harassed for mourning a friend slaughtered by Hamas and poisonous demonization became tolerated within the facility.
35.15 - "What we're seeing now in health care is a range, a spectrum, of problems for the Jewish public."
Dr. Rosenberg and Marty Gold discuss the choices Jews are being forced to make as thousands of health care workers sign petitions that spout Hamas talking points and demonize Israel defending the country and try to recover the hostages in Gaza. "These aren't random outliers, this is becoming normalized."
The antisemitic playbook, including BDS policies applied against Israeli professionals and Zionists and smears they represent "apartheid" and "colonialism", is becoming a standard across the western world as the percentage of Jews allowed into medical schools is dropping- "we've come full circle again."
"As a country, people default to this blaming and not taking responsibility and that's the beginning of the end to a society," warned Rosenberg.
"I see it as a threat - all of us in Canada are at risk that we as Jewish people are being torn from the Canadian tapestry systematically and that's not just a risk to Jewish people, it's a risk to all Canadians... but when non-Jewish people start to speak up about it, then things will start to happen ."
Dr. Ted Rosenberg has included historical context and many valuable resources in his book -- Ayekha, Where Are You? A Memoir and Reflection about Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism and the Western Response to October 7, 2023 is available on Amazon and at Ayekha.ca.
Please read his book and share this podcast with people concerned about the radicalization of society and the embedding of Jew-hatred in our government and institutions.
See also- Manitoba Teachers’ Society needs a lesson on modern antisemitism, Winnipeg Sun, Sept. 7 2025
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Marty Gold has been uncovering anti-Zionist and antisemitic radicalism since the 1980's.
The costs for the reports, investigations, and interviews are funded through the support of listeners and readers just like you.
The Season Six funding drive has garnered over $4100- to help ensure this vital reporting continues, please go to https://actionline.ca/2024/02/donate-2/
or contact Marty directly at martygoldlive@gmail.com
Nahanni Fontaine couldn't stop herself from parroting radical rot about the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk - and Premier Wab Kinew's ride to the rescue only made things worse for him and his Families Minister. In Episode 46, we review the public outburst after Kinew forgave Fontaine's online antics and half-baked apology and said she's not being fired from his NDP cabinet.
Part 1 - Marty Gold recaps the whirlwind of news tips and more over the past few weeks. You'll hear about the recent focus of the podcasts on the East Kildonan by-election and the series of front page columns and reports in the Winnipeg Sun that revealed important facts about key City Hall and provincial issues:
Police warrants for homeless shacks on public property a new low in public safety
Manitoba Teachers’ Society needs a lesson on modern antisemitism
Speculation swirls about next location for safe consultation site
8.00 Part 2- We provide a brief explanation about Charlie Kirk's influence on university campuses and among people under 40 through his Turning Point USA movement, countering the radicalization of youth by Marxist and "progressive" activists.
After he was murdered while holding a debate in Utah, Nahanni Fontaine had to chime in, by reposting a vicious distortion of Kirk's character and Christian beliefs. It was so vile, even Wab Kinew called it "terrible" as he fielded a flood of emails demanding he take action.
He told her to apologize but spurned calls for her removal from his cabinet. However his rationale stoked the controversy:
‘We’re going to work through this together, andI am going to try to help you understand why we need to bring people together and not to divide people at this time.’”
Translation: This is costing the NDP voters because even her indigenous backers are appalled. But no one believes the mean-girl matriarch would change her ways- or deserves the chance to.
"If @WabKinew refuses to fire Nahanni Fontaine heis telling a significant portion of the population that he does not give a shit if you are killed in front of your family for expressing unpopular opinions."
Another listener pointed out: "She wouldn't have accepted an apology from anyone else."
Listen to a sampling from our Facebook, Twitter and email feedback that suggests Kinew has painted himself into a corner. A women told us, "Her repeated lack of empathy, poor judgement, and lack in basic decency is well documented. This is a pattern, not a misstep... What’s worse is that she’s being shielded. The premier chose loyalty to a friend over responsibility to the people. "
With the US government notified that Fontaine gave a platform to someone justifying the shooting, and failed to denounce an act of domestic terrorism that targeted a conservative spokesman, the Province of Manitoba itself could be on the receiving end of a FAFO consequence for Fontaine's obsession with social media clout.
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Coming up- the dangerous antisemitism infestinghealth care and the medical profession.
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The delays in repairing the Louise Bridge made Braydon Mazurkiewich decide to put his name on the ballot, and he's bringing a brash style of campaigning to the October 25th by-election in Elmwood- East Kildonan.
Part 1 - He knows his way around political campaigns, but after the City of Winnipeg continually missed target dates to get the Louise Bridge open this, Braydon Mazurkiewich decided to try to succeed his late friend Jason Schreyer as councillor for Elmwood- East Kildonan. He takes credit for the flurry of work on-site to get repairs finished. We discusse his appearance at the community committee, where his call for a new bridge to be part of the next budget process was supported.
Then he responds to the statements of Coun. Janice Lukes, chair of Public Works, dismissing the idea of a new bridge out of hand. "Maz" believes it's another example of people in the northeast quadrant getting the shaft while residents in southern wards like those of Lukes gets highways and recreation centres.
He voices other criticism of the "elites" who he says call the shots at 510 Main Street. and "give lip service" to the needs of the EK ward. Marty Gold prompts a discussion about how difficult travel from the east side of Winnipeg going to the west is continually throttled.
14.00- Speaking to voters at the door, Maz says "it's all about the crime... we've got to clean up our city, man."
He wants investment in youth programs and beat cops restored to the area as break-ins, vandalism and violence plague the businesses and residents like the seniors and veterans at the Legion Gardens - "they deserve some respect."
19.57 Part 2- At City Hall, "I'm going to be the squeaky wheel."
Maz says he's personally seen the brazen theft at the 7-Eleven and the stolen bike chop shops at illegal encampments on our riverbanks. "The city has dumped all their money to Main Street Project and it's not working... We have to find out who's doing a good job and support that one."
29.30 - Mazurkiewich is critical of how city neglect of the EK ward is affecting home equity by allowing the neighborhoods of "the hard working people" to slide, devaluing their homes. "This area needs some significant investment."
31.50- As for another candidate talking about being part of a "team" on council if they're elected, Maz says "the team you represent at city hall are the people that elect you in your ward so you can fight for every dollar that they deserve... I am on Team Elmwood-East Kildonan."
The byelection is on October 25th. For more details on the Maz campaign, go to fightforelmwoodek.ca
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Marty Gold has been filing front page news in the Winnipeg Sun about important issues- here's the latest:
- A city podcast recently described how “Inspector Helen Peters sees the glass half full for everything, particularly our downtown. Today, as a leader in downtown safety, she workshard so people can be proud of where they live.”
She may be working hard, but no one is proud to live on Waterfront Drive, or in any of the districts where the theft, violence, screaming and mayhem are allowed by the authorities to carry on. For them the glass is not “half full.”
Police warrants for homeless shacks on public property a new low in public safety
- In July, Smith insisted the government was “on track” to have a facility opened by year’s end. It was last week that she bumped the opening back to sometime before the end of the NDP’s term in 2027. A week later Kinew said it was canned….They also did not reveal that a new application under Sec. 56.1 was already filed for a different SCS. And it was filed on July 4th.
Why they kept this new application to replace the AHWC proposal a secret for almost two months is hard to figure, but it may have something to do with the proponents.
The cat’s out of the bag after Kinew plays coy about new drug site plan.
Plus- Manitoba Teachers’ Society needs a lesson on modern antisemitism
Another special interview for a long weekend, as Episode 44 brings a conversation with Carmen Prefontaine, seeking the city council seat in Elmwood-East Kildonan on October 25.
8.40 Part 2 - First-time candidate Carmen Prefontaine brings over 16 years of experience as a City of Winnipeg employee, along with her current union leadership role to her campaign. She says her decision to run stems from a long-standing residency in the community and her connection with the late Coun. Jason Schreyer.
She thinks city councillors "don't have the same hands-on experience with the system the processes.... I have a very in-depth knowledge of the processes that go on, especially the budget and fiscal matters."
14.20 - Prefontaine speaks about her meeting with the Firefighters union and how the city could have hired permanent staff "and save us money in the long term" insteed of paying for overtime and added Workers Compensation Board claims.
"I'm very much about getting the basics right and meeting the needs that we have before doing frivolous projects and shiny new builds of things."
18.30- Prefontaine discusses the Louise Bridge in her ward and compares it to the repairs and reopening of Portage and Main. "I think it's odd that there was a plebiscite on that issue... I don't know why it was done and not adhered to."
For her family, the new Transit schedules and routes are "very challenging" despite being close to Henderson Hwy,
29.34 Part 3 - What made Prefontaine decide to run? "It's always kind of been in the back of my mind," citing her work on other campaigns and seriovnmg on various boards.
Hear her views of crime in the ward, community policing, support for housing, and homeless encampments- "I know people downtown feel afraid."
As for the installation of $300,000 gym equipment in Juba Park being an example of vanity project spending, Prefontaine says, "I will actually agree with you on that."
50.00- Prefontaine is on leave from her role as a vice-president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. CUPE has become involved in a lot of politcal advocacy outisde of the workplace, including the Middle East. Hear her explain why she feels "there's no antisemitism occurring" within CUPE and why she is not an anti-Zionist.
More about her campaign can be found at Carmenprefontaine.ca.
1.00.15 Part 4 - A pitch to support the Winnipeg Sun and our Season Six funding drive; a reminder our interview with candidate Abel Gutierrez can be listened to at https://actionline.ca/2025/08/aug-5-2025-council-candidate-abel-gutierrez-talks-about-elmwood-ek/
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Read our column last Wednesday in the Winnipeg Sun- Home Care revamp accelerates anticipation of Asagwara’s exit
Episode 43 pivots off of two emails received from followers of our reporting. Their observations lead to an analysis of the potential issues in next year's Mayoral and civic election.
5.53 Part 2 - "Fabulous results from your articles"
A resident in the East Exchange notified us of two separate actions taken against illegal encampments- and gave credit to our reports about the relentless misery inflicted by homeless criminals on the neighborhood.
Another listener told about their scary experience at the Alexander Docks the night before the sanitized 'Potemkin presser' held by The Forks and city officials.
17.00- An overview of the continuing decline of the city and that may be alienating swing voters who supported Scott Gillingham in 2022.
25.44 - Listen to a letter from another follower, who put the ongoing hiring of Safety Officers and cadets under the microscope.
"The public is misled. They don't understand thenuances and limitation of these roles. This includes no enforcement... No enforcement, Crime increases. Law Enforcement 101. "
"What a mess for the tax payer," he concludes. Hear who he blames.
The episode ends with a few observations about the state of public services- be it Happyland Pool, potholes, policing, paramedics or permits - and if that will influence whether people think the city is going in the right direction or in the wrong direction, when they go to the ballot box in 2026.
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In the Winnipeg Sun on Sunday-
It seems that government housing units in Beausejour are being used to provide an address for justice-involvedpeople to be in compliance with conditions of their release.
But this allows drug addicts, drug dealers, thieves and domestic abuse offenders to be released into the community to live alongside tenants of Manitoba Housing. Those folks -including mothers, children, caregivers and seniors – have not been warned of the increased risk being placed next door.
Mayor Ray Schirle says he pressed Housing officials about that danger, only to be rebuffed with “we can't go into the house without giving them 48 hours notice. We can't do this, we can’t do that, there was every excuse under the sun, except for how are we actually going to clean up this problem.”
Read the exclusive report-
Beausejour Mayor asks why criminals are being lodged in Manitoba Housing
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