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The City of Williams Lake is looking into imposing a state of local emergency over an increase in street disorder and violence. Coun. Scott Nelson put forward the motion, citing increased threats to public safety. He joins the show to explain, as we ask viewers if such a measure is warranted.

Episode 23 revisits a serious issue plaguing Winnipeg for years- discarded used needles strewn all over parks and public walkways. In Part 1 we explain how the surge started around 2018, after "harm reduction" advocates and unaccountable WRHA officials were allowed to discontinue needle return targets from their massive free needle giveaways. Through their agents in the health care field the WRHA have handed out millions of needles since, yet refuse to provide data on how many they claim they've been picking up.Our analysis of this week's report about a city pick-up program shows 50% of the dirty rigs were within walking distance of the Legislature. This seems to prove the supposed need for a drug user site is outside Premier Wab Kinew's office, and not in Point Douglas. You'll hear an explanation why Mayor Gillingham's statement to the media on the issue lacks credibility: “If there is any agency that is distributing needles… I think it's up to those agencies also to be part of the solution in getting those needles back, rather than having needles just go out, be used and end up in a park where children play… This is about the health and safety of the public.”City Councillors- including Gillingham - knew years ago what steps could be taken to mitigate the problem, including requiring needle return rates and colour coded needles to trace which agency was giving them out. Instead of taking responsibility when we reported on these facts in 2019, Coun. Cindy Gilroy now has to plead for priority clean-ups of inner-city parks, taking tax dollars away from other programs. This crisis is a Brian Bowman legacy- he pressured police to coddle criminals and addicts who learned there was no consequence to their endangering the health of children and the safety of the community. As Bowman's right hand man on Council then, Gillingham cannot distance himself now from his refusal to take action and allowing the risk of "harm reduction" programs to be offloaded unto children and other park users. 18.50 Part 2 - The latest columns in the Winnipeg Sun by Marty Gold on the Rezoning Open Houses and Parking Authority towing fiasco get a quick recap, plus a look at what's coming up in the Sun and on the podcasts- including West End businesses fighting crime, questions about this year's Pride parade on June 1, and an interview with North Kildonan councillor Jeff Browaty.*******The funding campaign for Season Six has broken the $1000 barrier- and if you like the breaking news and analysis we produce, it's made possible by YOUR contributions!Our $10,000 budget is set to cover online hosting and production costs, transportation and research expenses, and make sure the office lights stay on so we can continue to upholdthe tradition of investigative journalism in Winnipeg!To Donate via PayPal- paypal.com/paypalme/MartyGoldMediaTo Donate via E-Transfer, or to support by cheque, cash, advertising or other means - martygoldlive@gmail.com

We look at what the federal election results mean for Edmonton, including the return of Mayor Amarjeet Sohi to city council. We also discuss the future of E-Park with Coun. Aaron Paquette, and dig into when we might expect results in the upcoming municipal election.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Federal election resultsAlberta's blue wave has Conservatives projected to win nearly every seat in EdmontonRecap: Liberals hold Edmonton Centre, Conservatives pick up Griesbach, rural sweep for ToriesEdmonton voters wanted change, action on affordability, Conservative candidates sayElection 2025: Edmonton Centre remains Liberal red after Olszewski victoryElection 2025: Sohi loses in Edmonton Southeast as Conservative Mahal clinches victoryElection 2025: Edmonton Griesbach returns to Conservative fold as Kerry Diotte beats Blake DesjarlaisElection 2025: Heather McPherson keeps Edmonton Strathcona for third straight electionE-Park in 2016EPark has replaced coin parking meters in EdmontonEdmonton says goodbye to last coin parking meterNews Release: City says goodbye to final coin parking meterTime expires for Edmonton parking meters, but you can buy your ownCoun. Aaron PaquetteCoun. Aaron PaquetteEdmonton city council looking for ways to help smartphone-less drivers pay for parkingEdmonton city council to discuss delaying removal of EPark metresOpinion: Mobile-only parking a barrier to downtown EdmontonMunicipal election plansBan on tabulators means election results will arrive much later in 2025, official saysAlberta overhauls election laws to allow corporate donations, change referendum thresholdsFrom the Taproot newsroomCouncil seeks potentially 'radical' solutions in Belgravia traffic assessmentLinda Ha sets sights on helping freelancers avoid burnout and stay afloatRapid fireEdmonton-Southeast voters react to Mayor Sohi's federal election lossPremier Danielle Smith calls on PM Mark Carney to 'reset' Ottawa-Alberta relationshipElection questionIt's time to share what's on your election agendaWhat issues do you care about as you consider who to vote for in the 2025 municipal election, and why?Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★

This episode begins with a brief mention of the passing of our longtime friend, Coun. Jason Schreyer, which was announced Wednesday morning. More about Jason tocome.Part 1- Updates on our stories on the go:- A youth soccer club failed to address the bullying by an 11 year old by antisemitic club mates. This was a litmus test asthe victim was mistakenly believed to be Jewish. It was, in fact, a hate crime.- A few problems at the "information meeting" about bike lanes organized by Public Works chair Janice Lukes. The session ended early due to the behavior of some of the attendees- the ones she invited.- The City is holding the additional Four Plex Open Houses this week, to poor reviews- Marty's post-election analysis is in Wednesday's Winnipeg Sun Singh crashes NDP Party and takes his pension with him13.40 Part 2- Some thoughts about antisemitism during the campaign and the influence of Hamas supporters on Liberal candidates and on Jagmeet Singh; a media mention of CPC MP Ted Falk being re-elected proves how openly biased our local media is.21.20- Elections Canada Malfunctions We Have Uncovered Point To Fraudulent Votes.Advance polling and election day incidents demonstrate absurd gaps in the Elections Canada process which ultimately allows illegal votes to be counted. We are preparing more questions for officials.  29.00- Chances to catch up with Marty are coming up around local communities when he hosts CWE events this spring.32.00 Part 3- The script got flipped at the Legislature on April 24 when the Justice Committee heard from the public on Bill 43- amendments to the Human Rights Codeto create infractions to supposedly protect transgender people.Committee chair Logan Oxenham, the MLA for Kirkfield Park, was flustered when presenter Don Woodstock raised a 'what-if' he adopted part of a controversial rap song title and used 'Wet/Pussy' as his pronouns. A former Juvenile Correctional Officer and Counsellor at the Manitoba Youth Centre, Oxenham is the architect of numerous Manitoba gender policies because 'he used to be a she.' This is someone considered an "expert."43.40- Instead of upholding the right to your own pronouns as proposed in the Bill, Oxenham chose to interrupt Woodstock with a moral lecture that immediately backfired.Oxenham: "Words matter in this room so please be mindful going forward with your presentation of using appropriate language"Woodstock: "So I must come to you for permission to decide what pronouns I use or what I identify as - is that what you're telling me??"Woodstock continued to expose the misguided direction of the Bill, explaining how inventing new offences in case LGBTQ+ are offended "may put a target on their backs. Be careful what you wish for in this." There are probably cabinet members who have twerked to the song, but average citizens aren't allowed to utter the song name in front of them?Hear Woodstock's argument that more important issues- including rampant crime and keeping society safe- should be the NDP's priority instead of virtue signaling with legislation designed to make the process the punishment for anyone accused of offending transgender individuals.48.00 - Listen to Woodstock challenge the pronoun-wielding Health Minister Ozuma Asagwara and the NDP for policing language when it won't "protect the vulnerable among us. Who you kidding? you aren't fooling me." There will be more audio from that hearing on the next podcast.*****No one in the Winnipeg media works harder to earn your support. The Season Six Funding Drive has raised just under $1000 which is a great start. The budget for this season is $10,000. Help us reach our goal!Your contributions and sponsorships keep us on the beat reporting on Public Affairs you need to know about. Use the PayPal link on our Donate page, or send E-Transfers and inquiries about personal donations to martygoldlive@gmail.com

In this week's FTR podcast, it starts off with a discussion regarding Jay Joy's presentation to New West Council. He asks if the 3.5% Climate Action Levy can be removed from the utility bills of New West residents and business owners. Coun. Nakagawa says no way. While Mayor Johnstone tells Joy he was 'misinformed'. So who was right?A familiar face showed up to the special Queensborough Council meeting to advocate for a new turf and track field at Ryall Park South. Former NWP mayoral candidate Ken Armstrong made a presentation to Council asking them to support this important investment in his Queensborough neighourhood. Find out what the staff response was and why Armstrong left the meeting a very happy man!Metro Vancouver presented their new trimmed down budget this week and it included double digit budget increases for as far as the eye can see. Yet Metro Vancouver wanted taxpayers to applaud their efforts at spending less. Should they?Tis the season of resident association meetings. A few of them have taken place the last few weeks including in Brow of the Hill, West End, Massey Victory Heights and Downtown. They were packed with federal politicians, wonder why? As one federal election candidate said "this election is considered as a job interview". Does that also mean it's also time for a performance review for our former Member of Parliament?Queensborough MLA Steve Kooner asks the BC NDP Minister of Education some tough questions about funding for a bus transporting high school students to NWSS. The Minister's response in the Legislature might come as a surprise!Popular CKNW host Mike Smyth talks Metro Vancouver budget and whether it's appropriate to fly the USA flag at Queen's Park Arena. Listen in to the interview and summary of responses from his callers.The FTR podcast is available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you enjoy it, be sure to tell your family and friends to follow!

It was another hectic week of civic politics in New Westminster. There were no shortage of issues to discuss on this week's podcast! You'll want to hear our big announcement about the May 22nd event.The podcast starts off with a discussion regarding what constitutes effective consultation in New Westminster. Should a number of hot button issues including the public toilet at the InterUrban building, rewilding and naturalizing, West End rain gardens and the homeless shelter at Army and Navy be subject to new 'enhanced' communication and community consultation protocols? Should they have been designated as 'signature' or 'materially significant' civic projects/programs?Are some of the most effective lobbyists at New West city hall a group of Queensborough Middle School students? They recently wrote to the Mayor and Council asking that Ryall Park get new investments which would include a new turf and track field. There were some very compelling submissions which will be hard to ignore!Pier Park East and Pier Park West finally get reconnected - at some point soon. This will become a wonderful new public amenity for local cyclists, pedestrians and residents living downtown and beyond. While the date has yet to be determined, it's only a matter weeks before you can walk contiguously along our waterfront. But what about that connection to Sapperton?CKNW host Mike Smyth asks Coun. Daniel Fontaine to join him to discuss a column written by the Vancouver Sun's Doug Todd. It focuses on the skyrocketing taxes in New Westminster and whether unfettered growth and densification has impacted the increases.Will the American flag in Queen's Park Arena finally be taken down? Four city councillors indicate they might be interested - but are they?Let's talk about some upcoming events including the 3rd Annual Spring Fundraiser for the NWP which just announced it was SOLD OUT. How about the April 22nd Councillor Cafe - Queen's Park Edition which is expected to get a healthy crowd of local residents in attendance.May 22nd...who will be announced as the special guest for the next Councillor Cafe in Queensborough? Have a listen to find out. You hear it first right here!If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to encourage your friends and family to follow us! It's available on Apple Podcast, Spotify and all major platforms.

It was a packed city hall chamber when a number of New West residents came out to speak about how they are not being properly consulted with and communicated to regarding various projects.Have a listen to excerpts from their presentations where they plead with Council to change the way city hall consults with residents and business owners. Presentations by residents Mike Timoffee, Brandi Rogocky, Grant Penner and Myles Liversidge are featured.Richmond Queensborough MLA Steve Kooner makes his first appearance at city hall. He's the first MLA or MP to come in and present to the Mayor and Council since the 2022 civic election. He spoke about his advocacy for a new turf and track field at Ryall Park South as well as a new high school in Queensborough.The podcast discussion also focuses on a new motion coming to council that will help increase the level of consultation and communication for 'signature' projects. But will it get the required four votes to become a reality?Coun. Paul Minhas talks about his motion which aims to permanently eliminate the city's 3.5% Climate Action Levy (aka mini carbon tax) in time for the 2026 budget process. Previous attempts have all failed 5-2, but with the BC NDP and Federal Liberal governments both abandoning their consumer carbon tax, will Community First stick with their levy?What happened this week at a West End Resident Association meeting? A high profile guest made a special appearance. Listen in to find out who that was! HINT: It rhymes with hat trick.A look ahead to a few NWP and councillor events coming up over the next couple of months including the 3rd Annual Spring Fundraiser at the Taverna Greka on April 15th. It's almost sold out, so get your tickets today. April 22nd is the next Councillor Cafe - Queen's Park Edition. It takes place at the Queen's Park Arena.If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to encourage your friends and family to follow it. For the Record is available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcast.UPDATE: Since this podcast has been recorded, it has been confirmed that 4 councillors are prepared to potentially support a motion to remove the US flag at Queen's Park Arena and replace it with the City of New West flag...stay tuned!

Coun. Sarah Hamilton has announced she will not seek re-election in the fall. We also discuss the pride flag issue between CSU52 and the Edmonton Public Library, transit safety and sounds, efforts to diversify Edmonton's trade beyond the United States, and why statues keep getting stolen.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Sarah HamiltonCoun. Sarah Hamilton's postInterview on Real Talk with Ryan JespersenPride flagsCSU52: Statement Re: EPL Directive to Remove Pride Flags from Public AreasEdmonton Public Library: No Directive to Remove Pride FlagsUnion says Pride flags banned at Edmonton libraries, library disputes claimTransit safetyDespite record ridership, many Edmontonians still don't think transit is safe, report showsReport recommends more peace officer presence at Edmonton transit stationsTransit soundsArtist creates sound experience at Edmonton transit centreEdmonton Arts Council | Sendero a lo Próximo (Path to the near)Expanding tradeEconomic developer helps companies move export sights off U.S. and onto Japan, Mexico, Middle EastStolen statuesStatue of women's rights activist Emily Murphy vanishes from Edmonton park named after herCut at the ankles: another statue goes missing from an Edmonton park'Please bring them back': Plaques honouring First World War soldiers stolen from cemeteryFrom the Taproot newsroomEdmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: KnackPouring a double: Trade mission to Japan and Cocktail Week boost beverage industryRapid fireCommonwealth Stadium field could be renamed Play Alberta FieldShould Edmonton have an official bird? Voting underway to pick favourite flyerSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★

It's episode 253 of The Cavalry! Andrew needs backup on Dairy Queens needing to move into cities. Johnny needs backup on relying on big hotel chains for a Mexican vacation. Enjoy and remember to subscribe to the Patreon for post-show banter! Remember to sign up for the Patreon for Post-Show Banter! https://patreon.com/thecavalrypodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Episode 11 explains why Coun. Markus Chambers and his Police Board "don't want to dwell" on why they stalled for 3 months before confirming the new chief of Police, Gene Bowers. Part 1- In the run-up to launching the Season 6 Funding Drive, we review the reports and investigations that have proven the value of our unique approach to public affairs. Whether it's been Plan20-50, homeless encampments, transit safety, or scooping the broadcast media on the location of the NDP's drug user site, we make a difference, and it's all because of the support of our readers, listeners and sponsors. * To send in feedback, story and interview ideas, or to send an E-Transfer towards our Season 6 budget, email: martygoldlive@gmail.com12.20 Part 2- In the last episode, we connected the explosion of crime around the city to the lack of a helmsman who could enact a plan to deal with it. A week later, deputy chief Gene Bowers was tapped to take over from the failed reign of Danny Smyth.The Winnipeg Police Board had a choice- to hire someone from outside the police establishment to enact real change, or to hire an insider from Smyth's inner circle. But in finally announcing that Bowers was chosen, three month after his selection was leaked, the chair of the Police Board stumbled and Markus Chambers let the cat out of the bag.“The information that was provided to the board, from our research, was inconclusive and we felt that we were in the right to move forward... Chambers later told the Free Press he misspoke and should have said the concerns were found to be “without merit.""Where did the information come from? We tell you, and explain why Bowers will have to overcome significant distrust to have even a hope of succeeding.“I'm going to go to the community. I want to be out in the community,” Bowers said. Listen for a description of one current crime prevention initiative in the community that amounts to a 'check-the-box' PR exercise and fails to deliver value for dollar. Will Bowers continue that tactic, or will he fix it?Also- While Bowers says his first priority is to tackle violent crime, which surely caused grief for the hug-a-thug members of the Police Board, we have an idea about an incident that precipitated his pledge.37.10 Part 3- Marty reviews two of his recent Winnipeg Sun reports on affordable housing. Hear the background of how the situation at 675 Talbot got his attention, and that of Coun. Jason Schreyer. Low-rent Veterans housing seeks funding for upgrades 47.00 - Why the Winnipeg Affordability Advantage is going into the garbage, is the topic of our Sunday column in the Sun. https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/gold-winnipegs-affordability-a-thing-of-the-pastTGCTS reviews the political fallout behind the proposed hikes in water and garbage fees, and the failure of city staff to properly explain who an "average" bill actually represents. Then, we look towards the upcoming fourplex bylaw changes, and question why some of the city councilors we spoke with haven't been told why there's only ONE public open house scheduled for March 19, when there should be plenty. It's all part of a Plan20-50 model used to squelch public participation and to discourage taxpayers to be able to express their concerns and be heard, while pretending that the government cares about your quality of life. We will continue to speak up for you.* Use the listings ⁠on the Donate page⁠ to listen to: The Top 10 Rated Podcasts, Winnipeg Issues & City Hall Interviews, Government Analysis, and Hear Directly From Crime Victims. That's how we earn your support!

Special guest co-host Karima Budhwani is in the studio to chat about a number of fascinating topics making news in New Westminster this week. Right off the top, the discussion focuses on the potential of a new high school in Queensborough. A motion coming to Council calls for greater advocacy regarding a School District 40 request of the Ministry of Education for funding to construct a new high school in Queensborough. Is it possible we can think out of the box and have the Richmond and New West School Districts work collaboratively to build this new educational institution?Next up is a discussion regarding a Metro Vancouver watermain break which had significant impact on a dozens of New West families a week ago. While restoration crews are on site cleaning up the mess, questions are being asked as to whether the review being conducted by Metro Vancouver will be truly independent. Furthermore, will the residents be provided with all the details and analysis provided by the third-party investigator? The Mayor's Urban Caucus issued a statement which called for significant advocacy on a number of fronts including more supports for detox and recovery beds. New West Mayor Johnstone signed on to the news release, but will Council support all of the wording included in the communique? A motion coming to Council will determine whether everyone agrees with the Urban Mayors Caucus. It appears the rewilding and naturalizing of the boulevards on 5th and 2nd Streets may be on hold for a while. According to a staff email to residents, there will be no more 'rewilding' until the pilot project can be fully assessed. This means residents likely won't see any further changes until AFTER the 2026 civic election. Should you be able to find out how much each elected official in New West collects by way of salary, stipends and expense claims? That's the thrust of a motion by Coun. Paul Minhas who is asking that effective 2024, all payments made to New West elected officials for attending Metro Vancouver, TransLink and other regional boards, be consolidated and made available as one public report. Is this a 'no-brainer' or not? An open house in Queensborough this week brought together city staff and the community to determine the level of interest in constructing a new turf and track field at Ryall Park South. A motion to this effect was introduced by the NWP back in January 2023 - and two years later the community has now been chosen as a finalist for this new capital investment. Will Queensborough come out on top - or not? Karima provides an update on what the NWP is doing when it comes to candidate recruitment for the civic election next year. She's also put under the gun and asked what her future political plans are - does she take the bait?If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to encourage your friends and family to follow For the Record. It's available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

She's a former city council candidate and the dynamic president of the most popular civic elector organization in New Westminster! FTR welcomes the NWP's Karima Budhwani to the studio this week as she'll be co-hosting in place of Coun. Paul Minhas.It will make for a great podcast and there's even a bit of controversy brewing! Tune in to find out why!

In another packed podcast, FTR delves into the issues making news in New Westminster and beyond this week! The podcast starts off talking about a "Rewilding" and "Naturalizing" project taking place on 5th and 2nd Street boulevards. The grass is starting to get ripped up, the holly trees are being cut down - so let the rewilding begin! The project has a number of local residents up in arms demanding further consultation and a rethink of the entire expenditure. The 23% (2023-2025) property tax hike took another big step forward this week when Council passed the budget by-law. Included in that 2025 budget was a small, but controversial item to include a new honorarium of approximately $7,000 to the Chair of the Police Board. That just happens to be Coun. Tasha Henderson who is already compensated $60,000 to be a city councillor. This has attracted media attention and it has yet to be determined if Henderson will accept the honorarium or not. The Canucks on Columbia motion received unanimous support, but it wasn't without a few 'cautionary' remarks by members of New West Council. There was the inevitable discussion regarding whether this could trigger another Canucks riot - sigh. One member of Council even said organizing a downtown gathering might result in the emptying out of local restaurants and pubs. Really? The massive Columbia Square redevelopment project moved forward another step this week with the unanimous approval of a guarantee of around 130 affordable housing units. It is estimated that approximately 7,500 people will be moving on to this site once it is fully built out. So how many new libraries, community centers and swimming pools will be accompanying this project? Tune in to find out. FTR looks ahead to the next few weeks in Council whereby two motions regarding the BC Urban Mayors' Caucus and increasing openness and transparency at city hall will be debated. Of course, what would an episode of FTR be without a discussion focusing on Metro Vancouver's ongoing PR nightmare. This week Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim announced he was boycotting Metro Vancouver until it implements some significant governance reforms. This news came as a bombshell, but will other mayors and councillors be following suit? Stay tuned. If you enjoy FTR, be sure to tell your family and friends to follow! This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

After blizzards in two provinces and a family funeral, we get back on track with Episode 4 and review recent events at City Hall, fallout from our our columns in the Winnipeg Sun, and some insight into the NDP's fake safe drug consumption site consultations. Part 1- The sights seen on trips to Regina and Deloraine for CWE wrestling fundraisers, including the unprecedented sight of dozens of freight trucks littering the ditches and medians. 8.25 - Marty speaks briefly about the sudden passing of our friend Joanne Cochrane of CTV Winnipeg, and how she always worked to make the community a better place. 15.15 Part 2- Coun. Sherri Rollins finished decorating the windows of her new ward office at the same time she ankled her post on EPC. Now, Ross Eadie (Mynarski) is Chair of the Water, Waste and Environment committee, taking on the mammoth budget for the new sewage treatment plant. The recent budget meetings have proven that City Council, by and large, refuse to accept they have a spending problem. How will the longtime maverick fit in with the Gillingham 'team" ? 25.10 - The promotion of Markus Chambers to Deputy Mayor is noted, coming while the hiring of a new police chief by his Police Board has become such a boondoggle an outside lawyer has been hired to revisit the process. Hear an idea about why that's the case. * To send feedback, topic or interview suggestions, or E-transfers to support our work - martygoldlive@gmail.com 29.55 Part 3- We were first to report that 7-Elevens were going to be shuttered. Last week, the 7-Eleven on Salter at Flora was closed, as did the Maples outlet on Jefferson, thanks to an endless stream of thieves and criminals. Next, a recap of recent Sun columns and reports that have ripped the covers off important issues: - "The amount of people sleeping in there was disgusting. No wonder patients leave and nurses quit.” So You're Really Sick? Enter ER At Your Own Risk https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-no-wonder-nurses-quit-really-sick-go-to-the-er-at-your-own-risk 39.45 - “When you drill a bit deeper past the headlines of the story, you can see both the strength of the provinces' rational and the questionable nature of the opposition.” Not so fast, Dan Lett- Media Cheerleaders Won't Deter Consumption Site Questions https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/gold-media-cheerleaders-wont-deter-consumption-site-questions - "There was only one pen and one pad of paper per table. (No) website you can enter in some concerns or questions. Nothing. It was a checkbox ‘we consulted,' That's it.” Fake Consumption Site Consultations Not Fooling Pt. Douglas Stakeholders https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/gold-fake-consumption-site-consultations-not-fooling-point-douglas-stakeholders You'll hear some information about the Thunder Bay drug use site being used as a model for the 200 Disraeli project, and an explanation how the NDP invented a 500 meter 'consultation radius' to try and control the anticipated neighbourhood outcry. - Also this week, four candidates for the Grand Chief By-Election happening Wednesday emerged from the AMC nomination process. The most familiar name of the group is former Peguis First Nation Chief Glenn Hudson, who has been in the public eye since first being elected chief of his home community in 2007, serving 6 terms and 14 years in total.  https://winnipegsun.com/news/provincial/gold-hudson-three-others-via-for-top-amc-post ****** * Our Donate page on ActionLine.ca has handy lists of our Top Podcasts of 2024; interviews with political leaders, public figures and crime victims; and our reports on City Hall and the Legislature. * It's a great way to get caught up on important issues that matter, and the lists serve as proof that when we kick-off the Season 6 funding campaign in February, we ALWAYS earn your support.

Happy Lunar New Year! This week on the podcast FTR features special guest Jiayi Li who brings New Year greetings on behalf of the NWP to all New West residents.First up is a discussion regarding the West End and Massey Victory Heights resident association meetings. Resident associations play a critical role in the community and a couple of them had special meetings this week to discuss a range of neighbourhood topics.The 23% property tax hike (2023-2025) keeps inching closer as the Budget By-law is about to be voted on at New West City Council on January 27th. It's forecast that this term of Council could result in a 30% tax hike - a record for the Royal City. Mayor Johnstone's trip to Dubai in 2023 has triggered a review of the City's policies when it comes to international travel. A staff report is making some significant recommendations regarding the manner in which overseas trips are approved and reported to the public.Metro Vancouver's ongoing PR disaster continued unabated this week with revelations that spending on per diems and meeting fees is ballooning 'out of control'. Listen to several interviews and media reports on this topic which are bound to increase your blood pressure!Coun. Paul Minhas will have his "Canucks on Columbia" motion debated at the next Council meeting. But will our cherished Canucks be seeing some post-season play this year? Only time will tell.Minhas is also bringing forward a motion to install special Remembrance Day sidewalks in New West. It's likely to get the support of Council and be implemented later this year.Upcoming events include the Jan 30th Councillor Cafe at the Holy Trinity Cathedral at 514 Carnarvon St from 7-9 pm. No RSVP is required. Don't forget the Burger and Beer @ Begbie's event on Feb 6th. Tickets are $30 and it's almost sold out.If you enjoy For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas be sure to tell your family and friends to follow us too! This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms.

Quispamsis town council wants to get rolling on a transit plan for their community. Host Emily Brass speaks with Coun. Mike Biggar, who is chair of the town transportation committee and vice-chair of the Fundy Regional Service Commission's transportation committee.

What a packed podcast! It includes a special exclusive interview with Jag Sall who sits on the executive of the Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar in Queensborough. Listen to how the Gurdwara is connected to the broader community. Coun. Daniel Fontaine announces he plans on taking Punjabi lessons this year!There is also a segment featuring Michael Geller, retired architect and developer, who talks about how density needs to be accompanied with investments in new public amenities. Geller will be the guest speaker at the Jan 30th Councillor Cafe taking place at the Holy Trinity Church at 514 Carnarvon St. from 7-9 pm. Geller reveals a couple of interesting connections to New Westminster.The podcast also features a number of media interviews featuring Coun. Daniel Fontaine speaking about massive pay packages for Metro Vancouver mayors. Did you know the Mayor of Burnaby raked in almost $400K in pay and benefits in 2023? Listen to a series of reports and commentary featured on CKNW and Global TV.If you enjoy the FTR, be sure to encourage family and friends to follow the podcast! It is available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Episode 38 focuses on how we get results! Part 1- Transcona Councillor Russ Wyatt hosted a Christmas party on Saturday, collecting food hampers and much-needed funds for the needy in Transcona. Hear how on Monday, he took on the role of traffic cop to unsnarl shoppers in his ward. 8.38 Part 2- The Winnipeg Metro Region voted unanimously to pull Plan20-50 and discontinue the public hearings. The first anyone heard a critical word about the power-grab by the unelected body of elected municipal officials was Marty's column in the Winnipeg Sun. But once the flaws of the "climate change"-driven document, including insane housing density concepts and misguided and inaccurate maps, became known, the dream of Metro allowing the City of Winnipeg to have veto power over all development planning in nearby RMs was shattered. Wab Kinew's promise to legislate an 'out' for dissenting RM's helped grease the skids. In 2021, Mayor Cheryl Christian of West St. Paul told the media, "Plan 2050 will have significant impact on all businesses, citizens and property owners living within the Winnipeg Metro Region boundaries." Did Mayor Gillingham ever warn us of that? The public's opposition shocked the media- but not us. You'll hear a brief overview of the news- with more details coming up in the Winnipeg Sun next Sunday. * For comments, feedback, or - To Donate via E-transfer, Cash and Cheque contributions, Ads & Sponsoring segments, please Email - ⁠⁠Martygoldlive@gmail.com * 19.08 Part 3- What led up to Wab Kinew telling reporters he's changing course and intends to clear out lawless riverbank homeless encampments in downtown? You can bet Marty Gold's series of stories in the Sun about the effects on property owners and residents near the Red and Assiniboine - and revealing the proposed location of a safe injection site - created an urgency to turn away from emphasizing harm reduction ideology over public safety. Last Sunday's column suggesting the campers be moved to the Legislature grounds was spurred by Coun. Cindy Gilroy touting a UN initiative she chairs in Winnipeg- which exposed how there was a two-tier approach to women's safety by the City. Listen to the background of the column and the obstacles to Kinew's goal to house tent-dwellers within 30 days. The real winner here is Marion Willis of St. Boniface Street Links whose smart, results-oriented approach to dealing with the homeless and addictions has now been admitted as the right way to go- even if Kinew, Gillingham and "harm reduction experts" refuse to say so out loud. ********* We are almost at the fundraising goal for Season 5 of $5600. Thank you to our donors! You've seen the results our exclusive Investigations, Interviews and Analysis can bring the community. Make a year-end contribution via ActionLIne.ca using Paypal or E-Transfer and receive a rare copy of the B & W photographic history of 1970's Winnipeg, Retropeg! *****

Low Gap is primed to take the Country Music world by storm. Brothers Gus and Phin John-son are relatively young musicians but are already making an impact with their authentic writing and catchy tunes. With roots in Eastern Kentucky and Southeastern Ohio, Gus and Phin grew up listening to Bluegrass and Americana music. That—combined with Folk, Coun-try, and Classic and Southern Rock—creates the unique tone that has become the duo's sig-nature sound. Gus wrote his first song at 13 years old, and only months later wrote “Mock-ingbird,” their biggest hit, which was ranked second on Grady Smith's list of “non-hit sin-gles” for 2022. The brothers backed the success of “Mockingbird” up with a self-titled al-bum full of passion and relatability. On November 25, Low Gap released their latest single, “Say a Prayer.”

Taxpayers are ornery after the City of Winnipeg proposed a 5.9% increase to their property taxes. Finance Chair Jeff Browaty joins us in Episode 37 to pitch service improvements that he and Mayor Scott Gillingham say their budget will deliver. 7.15 Part 2- Coun. Jeff Browaty says that while in theory the law requires the city to have a balanced budget, escalating costs like overtime for firefighters and transit operators have wiped out the rainy day fund. While his budget proposes $41M in savings across departments, "if we don't have enough revenue, we're going to have to start closing down the amenities people appreciate." Browaty addresses raising transit fares, new payment options, and 311 wait time improvements, but admits, "it's ridiculous that there's certain things that are failing residents and it's unacceptable." 14.00- Browaty confirms the poll Gillingham cited as proof there's support for the budget only surveyed 400 people, in a city of over 800,000. With affordability an issue, raising taxes was "the last thing we wanted to do" but other levels of government benefit from inflation while "fire trucks are being purchased in US dollars." 17.40- Marty asks why city councillors aren't tightening their belts with wage or ward allowance rollbacks. Browaty airs some criticism of the spending of other council members. To Donate via E-transfer, Cash and Cheque contributions, Ads & Sponsoring segments, please Email - ⁠Martygoldlive@gmail.com⁠ 20.05 Part 3- Former Mayoral candidate Don Woodstock sent an email to council members on December 9 about the City needing a DOGE approach to reduce the cost of civic governance. Listen to Browaty explain a new process that will "drill down into the nitty gritty" on "big cost departments", to find more government efficiencies, such as lowering fleet costs. 23.15- "Nothing's off the table" for consideration, including Woodstock's proposal for the city resuming operation of an aggregate recycling program. Browaty is asked about Don's other proposals, like pulling performance bonds on errant contractors- "we should probably better stay on top of it." 25.00- The North Kildonan councillor had asked to appear on TGCTS in October (a top 20 episode) to warn Winnipeggers that water and other costs and fees were spiraling out of control - we ask about the North End Water Treatment Plant. He mentions other projects including Centreport and Parker Lands/Rapid Transit. 28.40 - What's going on with spending another $1.2M on Goulet? "I'm not sure because Goulet I think was basically completed. " When asked if it could be the installation of an unconsulted bike lane, Browaty spoke about his view of the misnomer of winter cycling- "I believe it's a waste"- using seasonal infrastructure, where new lanes should go- and where they rank as a spending priority. He gives a history lesson of the booddoggle of the Assiniboine bike lane in 2010. 33.10- We asked Browaty if money refendums could bolster public confidence in civic democracy. He explains why he agreed to postpone the blanket Fourplex rezoning hearings. * The Season 5 Funding Drive is within $700 of the target- use ⁠the Donate tab⁠ to contribute today! 38.10 Part 4- A review and updates on Marty's Sun reports and columns, and audience comments, including- 47.00 Evidence safe consumption sites bring more crime and disorder can't be ignored https://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/gold-evidence-safe-consumption-sites-bring-more-crime-and-disorder-cant-be-ignored 49.00 Lukes' Christmas gift to Transit scofflaws- keep ridin'! https://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/gold-lukes-christmas-gift-to-transit-scofflaws-keep-ridin You'lll hear about Ottawa's ticket blitz on freeloaders, with over 1900 fines issued. 55.15 Living Near Jubilee Station Risky for Women and Kids https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/gold-living-near-jubilee-station-risky-for-women-and-kiids Will Coun. Shaun Dobson get his 'Winnipeg Committee for Safety' on the case?

The fallout from our surprise revelation that 200 Disraeli was the chosen location for the NDP's drug consumption facility garnered strong reaction from the area residents, businesses and a church deemed unworthy of prior consultation. But they weren't the only ones with valid concerns about the possible ramifications for the neighbourhood, who the "harm reduction" proponents kept in the dark. In Episode 36, we review a lengthy email sent to TGCTS by Mynarski Councillor Ross Eadie- who thanked us because "no city councillor could find out to answer resident's requests for information." Part 1- "I believe safe consumption sites are needed to generally save lives as we hear from parents and family expressing the sorrow of the deaths of loved ones on the street" Coun. Eadie wrote. However, "What no one has brought up except myself is the pilot mobile safe injection site funded by the federal government in Winnipeg summary report and recommendations released some time ago. " For comments, story tips, or to donate via E-transfer, Cash and Cheque contributions, Ads & Sponsoring segments, please Email - ⁠Martygoldlive@gmail.com⁠ 14.00 Hear why Eadie prefers mobile and multiple smaller sites over a single destination-:"what reality has already demonstrated in the move of SSCOPE to the former Neechi Commons building to provide temporary housing."  He described that reality in stark terms and how it affected the quality of life in North Point Douglas. He doesn't want to see it come to the other side of the CPR tracks. "Continue the mobile safe consumption site program in other areas so there is no mass migration to the edges of South Point Douglas where there is already so many struggling in life." 19.20 Part 2- In the course of the controversy unfolding, the Point Douglas Residents Association raised the problem that at City Hall, there is no unified voice through a single council member for the area. While the group maintained the ward boundaries are a result of "gerrymandering," Eadie pushes back on that belief. Listen to a redistricting solution he tried to put forward that was quashed by another councillor, and about a meeting held without his knowledge by two other councillors that intends to interject "the brainiacs" from the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative into core area planning "when the NGOs and residents already know the solutions to the underlying problems. " We go into what the Harvard project - a program of the  Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University - is about with excerpts from their website. When you hear which the other Mayors from Canada are involved, you'll be wondering why Mayor Gillingham is wasting your tax dollars on something that very much resembles Metro's discredited Plan20-50 - a make-work project for out-of-town, out-of-touch consultants. This work is entirely funded by YOUR support. Check out our ⁠⁠Donate page⁠⁠ - it's easier than ever to make a contribution . We are within $900 of the Season 5 budget target of $5600 -- help us continue to serve the public.

We have a third mayoral candidate as Coun. Tim Cartmell finally confirms he's running for mayor. And in a surprising announcement, Chief Dale McFee has announced his retirement from EPS, effective Feb. 21, 2025.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Cartmell running for mayorIs Tim Cartmell the Next Mayor of Edmonton?Edmonton Coun. Tim Cartmell running for mayor with new political partyMcFee retiringChief McFee retires from the EPSProvince to appoint more members to Edmonton Police CommissionOld RAMEdmonton developer, architect push to save Old Royal Alberta MuseumHousing figuresNews Release: City exceeds housing supply targets in record-breaking year for new housing starts and building permitsWhy Edmonton may need to focus on renters as it stares down 'peak home ownership'From the Taproot newsroomHousing ComplexTaproot presents: A conversation about housingRapid fireFormer Edmonton city councillor Tony Caterina running for mayorWestJet announces summer schedule, Edmonton to see 23% seat capacity increaseBoissonnault out of cabinet after shifting claims about Indigenous heritageSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★

J.D. Irving Limited says it needs to expand parking capacity for a major mill upgrade using parkland it owns. But park users and west-side residents argue a new parking lot will have negative lifestyle, traffic, environmental, and possibly archaeological effects. Saint John council voted to send the matter to the Planning Advisory Committee last night. West side Coun. Joanna Killen speaks with host Rachel Cave about the issue.

Cindy Gilroy has represented the West End ward of Daniel McIntyre for ten years. In Episode 30 you'll hear a fast-paced 20 minutes as we ask her about key issues facing Winnipegl. Part 1- Marty Gold speaks briefly about his exclusive report in the Winnipeg Sun on November 7th -Province, CFS won't discuss at-risk child reported at Mostyn Park encampment  7.20 Part 2- Cindy Gilroy isn't happy a council committee isn't acting on a report about a clean-up of the heaps of used needles, weapons and broken glass being found in kids playgrounds and inner-city parks. "Every kid, when they go to a park, need to feel safe.... we have to find the money to keep them safe for kids." Hear her comments about the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority abandoning needle return targets, yet maintaining discarded needles was "rare". 15.00- The safety of bus drivers and passengers has gone downhill but Gilroy believes the new transit service plan will help. She wants better lighting at stops, and getting cops and transit support workers riding the buses. 18.00- Asking about the future of the Arlington Bridge gets Cindy Gilroy fired up- "We need the bridge fixed". Citing population growth in the North End, suburban councillors opposing paying the costs "are wrong... we need to focus on the other side of the city" and is worried about the closure "dismantling the community." Noting the Louise Bridge is also disintegrating, she says "We have two bridges and we have no thought of even how we're going to deal with them." 20.25- Mayor Scott Gillingham is floating new fees and taxes to increase revenue but Gilroy isn't aware of the specifics. While she agrees in principle the city needs more cash, "I don't wnat to do it on the backs of people that are already struggling." The increased fees for residential parking passes unfairly punishes inner-city neighborhoods like hers that can't afford extra charges and wants it reviewed. Asked about the pattern of tax dollars being wasted by City Hall projects, Gilroy says "There's definitely room for efficiencies." 25.30- CBC distorted what Gilroy said about riverbank homeless encampments and she sets the record straight. "I have said we need a new encampment strategy that really dictates where we're going to allow them." She talks about the concept of a shelter system that would allows users to come and go but keep their belongings safe. Citing federal guidelines that forbids "just kicking people out," Gilroy wants more housing and services to address the underlying mental health and addictions at play. "The citizens of Winnipeg want us to figure this out." "It's not OK" for homeless camps to be interfering in the public's access to city parks. Gilroy wants to ensure "our parks are safe, our river fronts are free from fires... there is a way that we can do this but so far we haven't come as a council and had those hard discussions." Related: ⁠How would Mayor Gillingham deal with a homeless camp in his backyard? E-Transfers, sponsor inquiries, comments and feedback can be sent to martygoldlive@gmail.com 29.45- Marty Gold tosses an idea at Coun. Gilroy about where homeless encampments can be moved to. While Gilroy laughs at first, she stops laughing when told the province actually banned encampments on the Legislature grounds, shifting all emergency response costs to the city. It also shifted all the danger onto law-abiding residents along the Red and Assiniboine rivers, instead of Wab Kinew and the NDP government sharing the burden. 33.33 Part 3- The episode wraps up with a reminder of the importance of the ActionLine.ca platform covering public affairs and producing unique reports and substantive interviews with Winnipeg councillors and other newsmakers. Listeners can help close the gap and contribute in November to the Season 5 Funding Drive, which is now at 80% of the target goal. Support independent investigations and analysis - Use the Paypal link at https://actionline.ca/2024/02/donate-2/

Episode 29 looks at a few key issues that we've been reporting on, and puts some important new concerns on the table. Part 1- In Thursday's Winnipeg Sun, Marty Gold reveals hidden details that city officials and the broadcast media didn't want you to know about as a lawless homeless encampment in West Broadway. Click here to read Winnipeg refuses to oust homeless camp with crime, safety issues - Coming in Sunday's column- more about the frustrating refusal of Mayor Gillingham and City officials to clean up the illegal camps behind 300 Assiniboine. 8.30 - Hear how CBC deliberately distorted comments by Coun. Cindy Gilroy to favour the homeless campers and not the victims of the ongoing mayhem. She was talking about where they are being allowed- the same theme our reporting has been focusing. Meanwhile, who decided there's no count being kept of emergency response trips to encampments? Are riverbank property owners are being used as political pawns? * We are only $1295 shy of the Season 5 funding target! * Donors over $250 get a rare hardcover version of Retropeg- contribute to our costs via the Donate page Our target is $5600, we always earn your support! 15.00- Another information session about Plan20-50 is being held Saturday in Howden, Mb. from 1-4 pm at 1078 Red River Drive. Marty discusses the topics being covered by Manitoba Stronger Together and why the central planning agenda for land development and 'density' should be opposed by pretty much everyone- as should divisive NDP legislation to require 300 signatures to appeal a zoning decision. There's a new leader in the TGCTS all-time rankings: Episode 27 with the whistleblower exposing the Watt Street crime central rooming house - here's the link 23.10 Part 2- Crime Stoppers have good intentions but transit drivers tell us cops already don't respond to serious crimes like break-ins and there's no dedicated unit to investigate the anticipated complaints. Focusing on passengers to call in tips is re-active, not pro-active. And with the Code of Conduct not even on the Transit main page and banned people allowed to ride anyways, the ‘It's Your BUSiness' campaign is smoke and mirrors. What passengers and drivers need, is enforcement on the actual buses in real-time. The early morning assault of a driver on the 672 South Pointe route, forcing her to crawl out a window, is being cited as a reason to completely seal off transit drivers from passengers- a horrible idea that punishes the victims. 38.00 - The Gillingham plan to reconstruct Portage and Main doesn't mention the effects on the one neighborhood most affected. Hear which councilor won't answer the questions asked on behalf of the people of St. Boniface. 41.00- Dr. Joss Reimer gets a lesson from Marty Gold in the Gary Doer concept of "think global, act local". Reimer got lots of airtime this week in her role as chair of the Canadian Medical Association. "The current sick note system puts unnecessary pressure on our already overwhelmed health system," she tweeted. Wait till you hear which of her colleagues employed by the province requires it. Will she challenge them to change? Don't hold your breath. - Although the media won't ever connect the dots, when Coun. Gilroy complains about the projected costs to clean-up the skyrocketing number used needles dropped in inner-city parks, she's complaining about whose vision of "harm reduction"? That's right, the WRHA's Joss Reimer, matriarch of the free needle program that sacrificed the safety of Winnipeg families to cater to derelicts and criminals. Coming up- How Mayor Gillingham's administration hampers needle and garbage clean-up in downtown parks overrun by illegal camps; unreported incidents of antisemitism; and more special interviews!

Follow-ups on "Nightmare on Watt Street", more about Plan 2050, and asking if civic politicians played politics with commemorative awards, are what you'll hear in Episode 28! Part 1- Lots of horror stories continue to emerge after Marty's column in the Winnipeg Sun exposed a rooming house wreaking havoc on a working class neighborhood in East Kildonan. The interview with the whistleblower in the last episoderecounted the ways the City of Winnipeg has failed to protect the community. Coun. Jason Schreyer is scrambling to hold public meetings to turn things around- even as advertising appeared on Thursday to fill a vacant bedroom for $650 a month. You'll hear reaction not only from readers, but audio from a recovering addict who lived there until March, confirming one of the deaths that occured inside the Watt St. "death trap" and outraged the rental property is still operating. Harvey Smith made a point of taking a drive through his ward to see for himself what was happening at night. Do any city councillors do that anymore? No one is speaking up for area families and businesses in fear of more arsons, crime and deaths- and we will keep the pressure on to help them. Our Investigations and Interviews are made possible by generous supporters who donate to our Season 5 Funding Drive! We are within $2000 of the $5600 target- please go to the ActionLine.ca Donate page to chip in via Paypal or E-Transfer today! 23.20 Part 2- A telephone referendum, held in the RM of Springfield by a taxpayer's rights group, showed an incredible degree of opposition to Metro's Plan20-50. Will the rump WMR caucus still supporting the plan- led by Mayor Gillingham - persist in calling them "misinformed" or "conspiracy theorists"? There's 2900 folks in that RM who'd challenge the name-callers. Who would residents of Winnipeg ask if they wanted to know how Plan20-50 will affect them? Months later, the City can't answer that question. 31.00- Another story about crime and disorder affecting law-abiding property owners and residents is in the Winnipeg Sun today. Riverbank ‘garbage dump' impacting ability to attract tenants to downtown building Marty Gold spoke with a representative of the high-end apartment complex at 300 Assiniboine, who have challenged Mayor Gillingham and Premier Wab Kinew to remove the garbage-strewing, arson-starting, drug-using homeless encampments behind their building on the banks of the Assiniboine River. 33.00- Politicizing the Winnipeg 150 Awards has fueled even more cynicism towards City Hall. An email from a listener - one of many, actually- raised questions about the choices the Mayor and city councillors made for Winnipeg 150 medals, supposedly "nominated for their significant contribution to their neighbourhood or the city at large." Some are clearly deserving of recognition. Others, such as a CBC radio host with no listed volunteer activities since moving here, seem to have been beneficiaries for political purposes. Some check all the right boxes- except the boxes denoting the actual pre-requisites for the medals. Should people doing a job at a city-funded agency get an award for simply doing the jobs thay are paid to do? Coming up- Transit undermines driver and rider safety; more trouble from downtown homeless encampments; Vandal says vamanos to politics... E-transfers, sponsor inquiries, comments, news tips- martygoldlive@gmail.com

Our public safety investigations continue with an exclusive interview in Episode 27, about a house on Watt Street in East Kildonan that has been the source of mayhem for years with no relief for area residents. It was the topic of our Winnipeg Sun column today- Five Bodies Later, Neighbours Sound Alarm Over Elmwood Flophouse. You'll hear a neighbour tell all about the constant drug and criminal activity around the rental property; the fear and intimidation everyone feels; and the lack of help they've gotten from the City and their councillor. Only a provincial justice department enforcement program brought a brief respite. Part 1- Marty catches listeners up on his recent reports on how unsafe taking Winnipeg Transit has become, more controversy about a guest speaker the Winnipeg School Division already apologized for, and riverbank homeless encampments. 6.48 - Nightmare on Watt Street, is what the print headline said. More tips and details have poured in confirming it. One clarification is required- the corner house in question actually falls a few blocks outside the traditional Elmwood border, which is not Munroe. Who knew? E-transfers, sponsor inquiries, comments, news tips- martygoldlive@gmail.com Part 2- Marty Gold has an exclusive interview with a homeowner in direct sight of a rental property that's wreaking havoc on the peace of the neighborhood In the last five years, the rooming house with a revolving door of troublemakers has only been quieted after seeking help under the provincial Safer Communities Act. "Al" recites the laundry list of emergency police and fire response calls, arsons, harassment, filth and break-ins. He says he saw 5 deceased individuals lugged out of the flophouse in the last 18 or so months. A constant coming and going of drug buyers, stolen bikes and thieves destroys the peace and quiet residents expect. His experience with a break-in to his garage illustrates the collapse of the justice system. 22.25- Al and a number of other residents claim that they sent messages and complaints to Councilor Jason Schreyer when calling 311 and police failed to produce a pro-active community safety initiative. From used needles near the schools to a mom and child harassed at the bus stop, public safety in EK is at serious risk, but Schreyer says he never got Al's calls. "I find that very hard to believe." Marty and Al talk about fires around the area including a hydro pole, and whether city administration is keeping information from councilors about problem spots in their own wards. Coun. Schreyer told Marty he's prepared to convene town halls about crime in the ward. Al suggests "he'll get an earful." 30.50 - Al also works downtown and sees plenty of incidents there too. He's asked about Mayor Gillingham's approach to deteriorating public safety. "By far this is the worst I've ever seen it," Al says, and complains "I never see anyone get arrested." He also has criticism for Premier Wab Kinew- calling for more treatment and getting tougher on drug dealers. 40.00 Part 3- You'll hear the frustrating experiences of other EK residents trying to get help from the authorities and Schreyer, and the councillor's explanations and plan to meet with the community. Listen for the feedback to the Sun column, the scepticism now facing Schreyer, and a surprising tip about one of the deaths. How badly is City Hall failing the good people in Elmwood and EK trying to raise their families and live in peace? Damn near 100%. ****** The Season 5 Funding Drive is bumped up to $3555, as we head into the home stretch. The costs of our interviews and investigations are paid for by you, members of the public who value aggressive, old-fashioned, Peter Warren-style reporting. You can contribute to the campaign by E-Transfer to martygoldlive@gmail.com, or by using the Donate tab at ActionLine.ca.

Quispamsis becomes Uride's fourth New Brunswick location. Host Rachel Caves speaks with Coun. Noah Donovan, who pushed to allow ride-sharing companies to operate in the town.

Episode 26 has behind-the-stories details, with your comments, about our recent columns and reports in the Winnipeg Sun and Season 5 podcasts! Part 1- We've been bringing forward exclusive interviews and investigations about what's happening in Winnipeg. Marty Gold tells how you can help ensure strong independent reporting makes up for Trudeau-funded media consistently failing our community. It's necessary to pick up the pace on the fundraising drive in October. We are within $2500 of our budget goal! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to donate today 5.00- Listeners expressed concerns that in our interview with Coun. Jeff Browaty about Metro's Plan20-50, he seemed uninformed about the implications of the "aspirational" development blueprint. Marty explains what will happen next, with 12 member RMs turning down the document. About 80 folks gathered in Niverville to see Manitoba Stronger Together raise troubling questions about the "expert" ideas given priority by the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region board over proper stakeholder and public consultations. When a plan requires greater population density in Oak Bank than in Brandon, you know something fishy is going on. (The next MST session is on Nov. 2 in the RM of Ritchot.) Marty discusses how density targets will destroy the character of the St. Boniface business district, as Mayor Gillingham and Coun. Matt Allard nod approvingly. 15.20- Gillingham's plan to reconstruct Portage and Main will obliterate commuting times to and from St. Boniface. Nobody at City Hall cares about St. B- but we do. 19.30 Part 2- The first hint anyone got that 7-Elevens were on the chopping block was in Marty's Sun column, and word is up to 20 total are being shut down. Last week two in the North End and one in the West End closed. Now, 3 out of 4 retail building are closed at the corner of Ellice and Arlington. How will City Council stop the decay? 27.00- More coming about homeless encampments on our riverbanks. The hazards facing property owners and residents, first described in our Sun exclusive, are worse than we knew. The Superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division had to apologize after a guest speaker extolled the virtues of terrorism as "resistance." Hear why Matt Henderson had a very bad week after sailing though his first year. Before the WSD apology, some people posted support for the pro-terror message and thanked the division for displaying it on the arena jumbotron. How many were involved in the "pro-Palestinian" rally held on Yom Kippur in River Heights, near the Chabad synagogue? Fans of Iran were. Marty assesses how the cops would react if a pro-Israel rally is held near a mosque. ⁠We're looking at holding a Town Hall on Oct. 29 - Interested? Let us know! E-transfers, sponsor inquiries, comments - martygoldlive@gmail.com 41.20 Part 3 'Hell on Wheels' - listen to the story behind the story of this week's Sun column about violence on Transit buses. 46.00 - We explain how the short-staffed supervisor crew cannot possibly handle the volume of trouble calls from drivers. Before they showed up last weekend, Marty videoed an incident that could easily have turned into yet another stabbing, with the belligerent pulling the race card when challenged. 53.00- City officials need to ride the buses, share the pain, and shore up procedures until Transit users can feel safe. Enforcement of decorum on board - "turn down your radio!" and no foul language - is urgently needed. With the new routes coming in 2025, and only 4 supervisors on duty at night on weekends, it will only become more unpleasant and dangerous if nothing changes. Mayor Gillingham's 'root causes' approach holds the rights of homeless bus shelter dwellers above transit users getting to work, school and appointments. What do councillors say to women and seniors and teens too petrified to take a bus? A sample of public comments rounds out the episode such as: "The city likes to gag its employees. That should rattle a few cages."

A St. Stephen town councillor says a recent hit and run is another senseless loss for a community struggling to help its unsheltered population. Coun. Emily Rodas speaks with host Rachel Cave about the woman who was killed and how the community needs to figure out a way to do better.

Episode 22 provides a day-by-day account of the allegations hurled by Wab Kinew and the Manitoba NDP at Mark Wasyliw, the MLA they exiled who has pulled no punches in allegations about Kinew's toxic behavior and backroom micro-management. Part 1- A preview of the upcoming Sunday column in the Winnipeg Sun, about the federal by-election result in Elmwood-Transcona this week. You'll hear about a special interview with a key figure in the campaign. A brief note about a Town Hall on the new City transportation blueprint that had Coun. Brian Mayes seeing red. The session is from 7-9 pm on Monday Sept.23 at the Norberry - Glenlee Community Centre   Site at 176 Worthington and you'll be reading about it in the Sun. 7.30- Marty asks what was going through Wab Kinew's head when he decided- because no one believes it's a caucus decision- to turf his Fort Garry MLA. While a new poll puts Kinew at the peak of his political honeymoon, the attempt to dirty up Mark Wasyliw- for being a lawyer who knows other lawyers defending unpopular clients- has backfired. The resulting blowback is trans-partisan in nature and national in scope. 11.25- From the first sentence of the weak caucus announcement it was obvious the ouster was personal. Being somehow linked to counsel acting for Peter Nygard was a pretext for ousting Wasyliw. Marty walks listeners through what was said, the attack on the principles of criminal law, Wasyliw's fiery claim that all of the caucus is bullied by Kinew and his assertion that it's "a personality cult, it's all about him." 16.30- The anger erupted from lawyer's groups at the inference of Wasyliw having 'guilt by association.' Did Kinew think it was a good idea to attack the president of the Law Society for representing Nygard? The Charter guarantee to mounting a criminal defence doesn't hinge on the government's approval. F⁠ormer Tory A-G Kelvin Goertzen tweeted out a good overview⁠. 21.50- After waiting a day to comment, Kinew doubled down it was a "caucus decision." Then he falsely portrayed Wasyliw as being affiliated with Nygard's criminal defence, and shifted the reasons to the MLA not being a 'team' player. Season 5 fundraising is at $3055- help us reach the $5600 target by clicking here! 25.40 Part 2- Wasyliw issued a statement refuting Kinew's cover-up, claiming House Leader Nahanni Fontaine said she had no idea about the caucus vote. The Progressive Conservatives open a third front, wanting official House probes into possible respectful workplace infractions. They'd been harping on Kinew's behavior all year- yet the press gallery on Broadway never picked up on it. 29.50- Wednesday brought a fresh round of smears towards the dissident MLA as other justifications were trotted out. There's been MLAs continuing with their real-life jobs for years, but now the NDP considers it "the straw that broke the camel's back." Wasyliw laughed at the cover-up by a "toxic and dysfunctional government." He dared the media to ask for details on the vote and the supposed 'consensus'. 37.00 The unreported bombshell allegation: Kinew 'flagged' Wasyliw's law career after the MLA witnessed the 2023 incident between Kinew and PC MLA Obby Khan- and he's promising to dish more details soon. (Here is a Black Rod analysis of the confrontation- which includes a list of previous instances of Kinew's temper and lack of accountability: ⁠Obby vs Wabby: The real story of Handshake-gate⁠) By Thursday, the NDP trotted out more mouthpieces to try to undermine Wasyliw, who didn't actually provide any evidence of a vote while still lying that he is involved in Nygard's defence. At the same time, the actual lawyer pleading the case, Gerri Wiebe, issued her own public statement, thanking supporters and blasting the NDP. Watch Legislature video from May where interim Opposition leader Wayne Ewasko identified issues about Premier Kinew's conduct and behavior that Wasyliw has now seemingly confirmed. E-transfers/comments- martygoldlive@gmail.com

This week, Mack and Stephanie speak with Coun. Andrew Knack about his decision not to seek re-election in next year's municipal election. They also discuss the city's $34 million budget shortfall.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Andrew Knack@andrewknackAndrew Knack on LinkedInThe Toughest Decision I've Ever Made — Andrew KnackBudgetCity of Edmonton projecting $34M deficit for end of 2024News Release: Statement on Q2 2024 Financial UpdateFrom the Taproot newsroomVancouver and Toronto companies relocating to Edmonton regionElev and Five Oaks launch student housing project called The HiveRUNWITHIT Synthetics secures $3.5M investment to put its tools into more handsTech Roundup: Sept. 10, 2024Rapid fireEdmonton Police Service begins rollout of body-worn camerasMcDavid on living in Edmonton'Female rage': Edmonton woman sparks airplane 'manspreading' debateThis episode was brought to you by Life Sciences Week, celebrating Alberta's thriving life sciences sector from Sept. 23 to 27. Explore cutting-edge research, network with industry leaders, and witness groundbreaking innovations. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or investor, there's something for everyone. Taproot is proud to be a media sponsor of Life Sciences Week.Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★

An update of our recent podcasts and Winnipeg Sun stories and a Crime and Public Safety round-up makes Episode 20 essential listening for the civic-minded of our city. Part 1- Marty discusses his column about a West End man who had enough with shoplifters at his local 7-eleven in Metis Batman Saves Day, and his report about homeless encampments briefly appearing in Happyland Park. In addition, there's a follow-up to our interview with St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes who has now scheduled a town hall for Sept. 23. You'll also hear a brief overview of misinformation being spread by Plan20-50 defenders in local media, and the criticism of Winnipeg Free Press over their coverage of the death of AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. Both issues will get a more detailed analysis in the next week. ******** Support our Season 5 Funding Drive - now over 50% raised with $2600 to go! We accept no government funding. These investigations, interviews and analysis are funded by listeners like you. E-transfers, sponsor inquiries, comments, news tips- martygoldlive@gmail.com To donate via Paypal- ⁠paypal.com/paypalme/MartyGoldMedia⁠ ***** 15.20 Part 2- We compare two comments published a week apart about now-departed police chief Danny Smyth, involving Police Board chair Markus Chambers. WFP Sept. 3: "Chambers said Smyth fulfilled his mandate to reduce police overtime."  WFP Sept. 9: Chambers said “At a police level, you have to look adding more officers to the complement to reduce the amount of overtime,” after "the Winnipeg Police Service expects to exceed its overtime budget by $2.3 million by the end of this year..." Which was it? Was Coun. Chambers misled before Smyth took his pension and left? While social justice warriors proclaim policing doesn't reduce crime, the fact is taking criminals out of circulation does do exactly that. As to the reasons for increased OT being required, Smyth's mishandling of protest marches by inflammatory radical activists is never mentioned by MSM. 28.45- A rally decrying repeated violent incidents shattering the lives of newcomers is planned for Sept. 18th. Ukrainian refugees have had enough and we have the details. 30.30 - Sometimes threats to public safety are rooted in poor City practices. - Transcona homeowners still don't have answers about why a house blew up in June taking out the neighbouring home. They also don't understand why the City tolerates scavengers scaling the fences and picking through the rubble. We first covered that issue in City Keeps 911 Audio From Suicide Victim's Family, after a burned-out home in November 2022 was allowed to be pillaged. - Excuses galore are being made as the boondoggle of Centre Village on Balmoral Street is finally being demolished. Neither U of Winnipeg professor Jino Distasio or Coun. Sherri Rollins wanted to admit to the media what the problem was- the project was a vanity project for the architects. The "award-winning" design guaranteed ghetto conditions would prevail- and as we pointed out in Episode 27, while the neighborhood suffered from the blight after it was condemned, the City looked the other way instead of ticketing Manitoba Housing officials. - A listener raised another failure of city officials to ward off crime and disorder- piles of bricks are left in the open, an inviting freebie for vandals to use. ***** Here's what your support will bring in September: How Metro tried to rig the Plan20-50 process; City councilor interviews; and A special report about homeless encampments THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE PODCASTS AND READING OUR COLUMNS AND NEWS REPORTS IN THE WINNIPEG SUN!

Episode 19 is a crime and public safety update with important details we are reporting first! Part 1- Marty Gold discusses his ground-breaking report in the Winnipeg Sun Banned radical Imam gets platformed in Winnipeg church hall Winnipeg broadcasters missed the memo from the Archdiocese of Winnipeg after extremist Saudi Shaykh Assim Al-Hakeem addressed a Muslim charity in a northwest Winnipeg church in August: “The parish was notified by the Archdiocese about this situation and was instructed to tell the charity to disinvite the guest speaker, but due to circumstances, the disinvitation did not occur.” No local media or politician spoke up. So much for being "anti-racists". 10.40- An overview of the death of a homeless woman inside Fort Rouge Park on River Ave. after being struck by a police car. A vigil held at the park revealed an agenda that seeks to erase the scales of justice: "The [investigation] systems have continued to be designed in a colonial practice, so when the systems are being applied for Indigenous people, you're colluding with colonization. That is not our ways, that is not our sovereign ways, that is not our treaty ways." A listener notes: "The problem is that what she calls someone's home is a public park and there is a law against overnight camping. If the City had enforced its own laws, Tammy Bateman wouldn't have been residing in the park in the first place." You'll hear the known facts, theories about the collision itself, the allegations flung around from radical far-left mouthpieces, and the MMIW spin being promoted in a case where the deceased was neither missing nor murdered. Season 5 fundraising has hit $3005- please help us reach the $5600 goal by donating in September - click here 26.20 Part 2- In response to the death, a protest at Portage and Main generated headlines after an altercation involving indigenous protesters and the bike lobby, and an errant driver. Not all the headlines told the truth. We walk through an account of the sequence of events, and add what the videotape showed. 29.00- Listen to TV audio that explains exactly how the police catering to the anti-cop mob demands cops not be present at the intersection led to a mob having opportunity to attack a motorist. Driving north on Main, he saw the unexpected- people with bikes and others in regalia blocking the no-pedestrians-allowed intersection "before others jumped on the car's hood." The mob threw punches, kicks, and smashed windows, and now presents a challenge to the justice system. The perps are all identifiable, and the average person would expect to see charges for the mayhem laid. Do charges in Winnipeg depend on which mob commits violence? Is "whitey got what was coming to him" or "our ways our laws" a reasonable defence? 36.00 All this occurred as Danny Smyth cleared his desk for the next police chief. After Smyth set the stage for mobs to take over our streets, Mayor Scott Gillingham and police board chair Markus Chambers have to set aside their DEI focus on a new hire "fostering relationships"- and hire a crime fighter. Hear why major US companies forcefully ditched their Diversity and Equity policies this summer, and returned to rewarding merit, delivering their core product, and restoring balanced HR and service practices. Now is not the time to be woke central when it comes to police leadership. If as Council claims, they're running a corporation, they should act like it. 44.00 Part 3 Crime Roundup - Two men in their 40's targeted by a West End carjacker with a knife - Coun. Jason Schreyer attended the aftermath of a Keenleyside shooting and sent an update; - A shooting north of Provencher on Tache- the third in about a year- may force St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard to ask what's going on at area Airbnb's. Today in the Winnipeg Sun - Former St. Boniface pool now a 'dangerous place' Coming up Sunday - brazen shoplifters in the West End confronted by a hero filming their crimes and making them famous

The continuation of our interview with St. Vital councilor Brian Mayes has a few surprises for Episode 18. Part 1- A shout-out to our listeners outside of Manitoba and the readers of Marty's column sin the Winnipeg Sun. Hear a review of the impact of recent stories about Plan20-50 as an example of the work supported by our sponsors and donors. 8.28 Part 2- Civic issues relating to public information and consultation, and city staff falling far short of their duty: - Is the city Transportatation2050 plan merely formalizing an existing administration practice to "Design streets with emergency vehicles in mind?" Mayes confirms that even as chair of Community Services, he has "no memory of ever talking about that." He commits to asking how city staff decided there was not a "significant" delay to emergency service response caused by the Goulet bike lane bottleneck. 14.30 - Mayes says it was a "poor" decision by bureaucrats to give only one day's notice about pop-ups at local malls to explain Transportation2050 to the public. (Their excuse? it's not part of the public consultation process so there's no minimum notice required.) He agrees that the purpose of those sessions is to give residents a chance to evaluate the plan and then tell their councilors what they think. The limited times and venues chosen excluded too many Winnipeggers. "You'll show up at the mall? And nobody will spot that (pop-up)... I feel a town hall coming on." Mayes will be focusing on the lack of planning for modifying St. Mary's Road to manage traffic flow. 18.00- Hear Mayes describe: - How planners made assumptions when no money is alloted, wanting to "authorize density on the idea that oh, there'll be a bridge here (to the U of M)... it just seemed hare-brained." - "I voted for a bunch of this stuff under Mayor Bowman's fairly grandiose plans and the bills are now coming due... I think we'd be better off saying we can't afford to do a ton of this stuff, let's revise Our Winnipeg down to a much shorter list." - "The disconnect between the planning and the transportation has got to get better." - Mayes compliments transit planners for paying attention to residents in his ward - The city transportation plan was going to be subservient to the Metro region Plan2050, yet city bureaucrats admitted the WMR plan was only 'alluded' to in the City plan. - Mayes has concerns about water and sewage capacity as housing expands in the city and nearby RMs. "We can all say we want more housing but at the end of the day, we got to have a sewer system that can handle that and I'm not convinced that we do." The Season 5 Funding Drive is at $2905, with a target of $5600. Email Martygoldlive@gmail.com to arrange to support the podcast and ActionLIne.ca today! 32.00- Part 3- Crime and Public Safety update We have the latest on the August closing of 3 convenience stores, in EK, St. B, and the West End. 40.25 - You won't believe the extraordinary measures that retailers are taking to secure snack and grocery items. These closures and security concerns are devastating to the employees and degrade the quality of life for the community. - A trio of intoxicated teenage thugs - armed with a machete and an ax - ruined the lives of a 15 year old boy on Selkirk and an 80 year old homeowner on Pritchard this month. The north end wonders, do these kids have a social worker involved? Maybe Nahanni Fontaine can tell them. The new column in the Sun exposed years of complaints about cyclists and others racing at high speed over the Tremblay bridge into the Archwood neighborhood. Animals have been hurt, and private property damaged. https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/gold-speeding-cyclists-on-collision-course-with-homeowners St. Boniface councilor Matt Allard did what he usually does when aggressive cyclists endanger the public- nothing. You'll hear an update from Saturday night about the kind of accidents waiting to happen that were witnessed.

We start out Episode 17 with a view from outside the Perimeter Highway about how Plan20-50 generated unprecedented grassroots pushback. As described by a Portage La Prairie outlet: "Kinew says this is a hot topic" & "Winnipeg Metro Region has taken the heat." You'll hear a rundown of what led the NDP Premier to don the mantle of freedom fighter, and defend local democracy at the expense of WMR over-reachers. "(For RM's) who don't think this is the right fit for them or for their citizens, they are going to have the freedom to leave" under legislation Kinew promised for the next session. Is Kinew the first socialist to ever decide to "move away from that centralization that you saw in the past..." ? Here's our background coverage: https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/gold-winnipeg-must-let-the-people-decide-on-plan20-50 https://actionline.ca/2024/08/aug-9-2024-metro-fumbles-plan20-50-public-hearing-forced-to-retreat/ https://actionline.ca/2024/08/aug-15-2024-media-misinformation-masks-metros-plan20-50-mess/ https://actionline.ca/2024/08/aug-16-2024-and-dunnator-makes-6-as-rms-pan-metro-plan20-50/ 4.45 Part 1- Another view from outside the Perimeter came from the Mayor of Ritchot, who got some things right but other things wrong. He rightly criticized a WMR gag order on board directors. He preached for "collaboration" among the members but never came near addressing if he agreed with the Gillingham veto- the crux of the dispute. Chris Ewan did admit, "it is now critical to answer the questions of community members when a change that will affect over a million people is about to happen.” Marty details two more RMs that, unnoticed by TV and radio newsrooms, opposed the planning blueprint by voting against it at first reading. The RM of Tache, and the RM of West St. Paul, would make 8 RM's that rejected the Plan and half objected to being forced into Metro membership. Ewan calling the plan 'flawed from the beginning' makes it 9 member RMs who wouldn't vote for it- 50% of the membership. Kinew outright said it was "a planning region that isn't working." But as Marty explains, ultimately the WRM bungled public consultations, hid behind word-salad documentation, and showed a patronizing attitude that created a storm across Southern Manitoba. Donate to the Season 5 Funding Drive ⁠at this link⁠ so our investigations can continue! 22.30 Part 2- Did you know that former Mayor Brian Bowman ensured that city council voted on the draft of Plan20-50 in 2021? He also wanted council to "have the opportunity to vote in chambers like this on the final plan before the Provincial Government finalizes it". We review the comments from Bowman, Coun. Janice Lukes and then-Coun. Gillingham. Guess which council member expressed concern that the WMR is an "unelected body"? Marty questions, if elected officials in Winnipeg and in St. Clements cannot even agree what the board status is, how was a plan brought forward? Listen to why Mayor Gillingham has to explain where he stands on having veto power in any future planning blueprint, and how he will add some democracy to the process. 29.45- Discontent with the $18,000 tab for Metro dues was on the table at a Springfield council meeting in January. You'll hear the scepticism and value for dollar questions, whether they were kept in the loop by the Mayor, and if they needed to do more to create awareness of the plan. His response? "They trust their governments, I guess, that's all I can say." In Winnipeg, there's a few good reasons why Mayor Gillingham and council need to earn that trust before sinking more tax dollars into the WMR. 37.45 Part 3- A crime and public safety update, following up on the recent Sun columns. We tell about three more convenience stores said to be closing by month's end; a west end murder in broad daylight; and the terror bomb threat sent to over 100 Jewish institutions in Canada yesterday. Somehow the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg didn't warrant being threatened.

Episode 15 has the latest about growing opposition to the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region board attempt to take over development planning from the city and adjacent rural areas. The media- which has no clue about the ongoing legislative process- takes cues from the WMR narrative to smear critics of Plan20-50. Then, a crime report with a follow-up to Marty's column in the Winnipeg Sun about the struggle of west end businesses to fend off criminals. Part 1- A brief reminiscence of the Peter Kapusta era of Duffy's Taxi as the company moved this week to new digs. It's a place quite familiar to old-timers, the former Salisbury House at Notre Dame and Ingersoll. A few imitations of dispatchers get slipped in. Then, an important message about our Season 5 Funding Drive. Your support is crucial to producing our unique investigations, special interviews and news-breaking Sun columns. A copy of Retropeg awaits our donors- and contributors over $250 will receive a very rare hardcover version! 17.13 Part 2- Leading up to the public hearing in Niverville, the media gladly let the WMR label detractors as "misinformed" and "confused" without speaking to a single opponent. The Free Press wasn't alone in spreading false information. CJOB's Fake News coverage - Mayor Gillingham was not "whisked away"- gets particular attention, but Global TV and CTV Winnipeg also failed to ask hard questions. Here's our preview of the session - and our report to the Sun about the scene when 500 people showed up to be heard. 25.00 You'll hear new details about how it was postponed- and the surprising discovery of the identity of the panicked WMR official who needed Don Woodstock's help to try to calm the angry crowd. In the aftermath, Metro dispatched executive director Jennifer Freeman on a media blitz to spin what the plan "isn't about." In interviews, she's mystified why people are opposing the proposed edicts of planners and insists the plan doesn't mention various concerns. But as Marty explains, it doesn't have to be "in the plan" right now- as it will enable the WMR board to add binding restrictions and conditions on member municipalities later. 36.10 - While Freeman and Gillingham urge opponents to "read the plan"-it was their own failure to hold proper public consultations that directly led to what they call "misconceptions." They have the misconception that a normal person can glean what is really going on, as the plan is full of jargony language, kum-ba-ya cheerleading, and illustrations that never show what their plan looks like in the dead of winter or depicts any homeless on the street. Meanwhile, Selkirk has opted out, and other RM's may soon follow as rules designed to regulate growth in Winnipeg would hamper their own communities. 47.25 Hear the objections filed by Keystone Agricultural Producers. They flagged inaccurate maps and narrow definitions that prove WMR planners and their aspirations for a 'circular economy' have no idea about the ag sector and thought politicians alone should develop policy for wetlands and farms. Five segments were done by Winnipeg TV and radio, and not a single opponent of Plan20-50 was spoken with or named. Coming up in the Sun- drilling into Plan20-50 and the 'dirty words' the WMR won't discuss that are buried in their paperwork. 55.00 - Part 3 - Crime and Public Safety Update- Readers add some examples of other Arlington-area businesses afflicted by crime; Coun. Ross Eadie blames crime as the North End Biz has now lost its last bank while almost 50% of member businesses have closed since 2010; on Selkirk a 15 year old was almost hacked to death by a punk on Saturday night yet a murder charge wasn't laid; and in EK, 2 cowards in their mid-20's used a bat to rob and beat a newly-arrived Ukrainian mother and her 14 year old son two weeks ago. We wonder what refugees are told about the roaming gangs of goons they might encounter in Winnipeg. E-transfers, News tip, comments, email: martygoldlive@gmail.com

When we arranged for another interview with St. Vital Councilor Brian Mayes, we didn't expect he'd have landed in the headlines by the time we spoke. In Episode 13, you'll hear Mayes talk about the friction with Mayor Scott Gillingham that led to a fateful phone call on July 24th, while Mayes was attending a conference in Atlanta. 4.25 Part 1- After almost 12 years as a Committee chair, Mayes and Mayor Scott Gillingham were on opposite sides of accepting federal housing cash with strings attached, as well as the huge price tag for Gillingham's pet project to widen Kenaston Blvd. "I had been pushing the limits, I would admit that. I would not have been surprised to be shuffled out in October," he said, "but it was certainly unfortunate to go when I was out of town and was about to hit this milestone in July that mattered to me." 7.00- Mayes discusses the various theories out there about what issue made Gillingham remove him but ultimately, "the Mayor's office said 'we have to be on the same page on housing.'" 8.40- Mayes benefitted from the 'strong mayor model', a system that also led to his ejection. Surprisingly, "I think we had a little more leeway under Mayor Katz and Mayor Bowman," Mayes revealed. "It's been an unhappy term, I could never quite figure out where I stood..." Mentioning "endless shadow-play" Mayes mused, "I could never quite crack the code and I don't think the mayor's staff could clarify what was expected." 13.00- Following up on our last interview, Mayes picks up on how city staff would say 'change is hard' to dismiss the complaints of residents affected by new policies. "It's not your job as a civil servant to tell me to write off 20% of the polls in my ward" by dismissing somebody "as a NIMBY just because they want to keep some vestige of their current neighborhood." “When you have councilors saying, you can't fight city hall, that's a problem." E-transfers, News tip, comments, email: martygoldlive@gmail.com 15.50 - A discussion of ward issues, including - Gravel lanes - How Marion Willis is effectively dealing with homelessness issues through a St. Boniface Street Links Centre set up at the old St Vital city hall: "I've come to quite like her, she's feisty man. I have a lot of sympathy for her approach," Mayes says. - "At some point there's a "communitarian" aspect to this - that the community also has some rights. We should be trying to house people and not fight for their right to sleep under the bridge." - A Norwood Bridge question about why a southbound traffic lane has never been opened for vehicles- it would take "an afternoon's worth of work", Mayes admits, yet "we still have this odd situation." 22.00- Coun. Mayes is familiar with our interview with Sophie Hildebrandt and her petition to open Lyndale Drive- and allowed he'd vote for funding a study. "I had a poisoningly bad term with Coun. Allard last term... this term we've been getting along... We're having a much better grown-up relationship this term." (There will be more of our interview with Brian Mayes in the next few weeks) 28.50 Part 2 - A fast recap and update of these recent podcasts and columns- Winnipeg must let the people decide on Plan20-50 Teenager Leads The Charge Against City Imposed St. B Bike Path Lyndale Drive petition ignored by Allard as cyclists run wild on residents Jews And Judaism In Canada Under Attack THE SUMMER OF SEASON 5 means more interviews, more street-level reporting, and more columns acting as YOUR VOICE in the Winnipeg Sun. We only need $3800 to reach our Season 5 target- and the faster we can hit the goal, the faster we can pay for necessary equipment upgrades and add a new podcast! Every donation receives a copy of Retropeg as our gift to you! We ask questions no one else will, about things no one else wants to tell the public about. Every donation big or small will keep the lights on, cover transportation and office expenses, and keeps us on the beat. Please donate today via PayPal at this link.

GUEST OVERVIEW: YONATAN DAON is Development Coordinator at the AYN Rand Institute. Yonatan  manages relationships with Objectivist communities and local organizations worldwide. He organizes speaking tours in Europe and Australia and coordinates webinars in South Asia and Africa. He is also involved in development research. GUEST OVERVIEW: Dr Gavin Morris is an active mem­ber of the Alice Springs com­mu­ni­ty. As an educator and Coun­ci­llor, Gavin Mor­ris has spent more than two decades help­ing young peo­ple across Aus­tralia devel­op tools to be suc­cess­ful in life. He is cur­rent­ly the Prin­ci­pal at Yipirinya School and a lec­tur­er at Charles Dar­win Uni­ver­si­ty and holds positions on several Boards.

Episode 11 features an interview with Sophie Hildebrandt about her petition to "Open Up Lyndale Drive". The 19 year old is leading the fight in her neighborhood against City Hall- and as we reported in the Winnipeg Sun, the city's own data backs up their position. Only TGCTS has investigated the pushback against bike lane plans for the Route 19 truck route corridor ("Moving on Marion") and for Provencher Blvd. Now, a third front has emerged in St. Boniface after too many residents were harassed and abused by cyclists and the City ignored the result of their own poorly executed and designed public consultation. We cover your community! To donate via E- transfer, or for advertising inquiries, news tips and your comments--martygoldlive@gmail.com Norwood Flats is bordered by St. Mary's Road on the east and ringed by Lyndale Drive which runs alongside the Red River, where there's a park and newly built AT path. Continuing a pandemic-era policy, the City has imposed summer restrictions on traffic that divert vehicles through narrow residential streets with schools, buses, parked cars, and kids. Sounds safe, eh? Because the Flats isn't laid out in a grid, some people can't get to their houses any other way, yet get threatened with tickets by police. Meanwhile, homeowners get harassed by cyclists who mistakenly think the Drive is reserved for their personal use. 6.05 - "I want the barricades gone," says Sophie Hildebrandt, and she's not alone. With 186 people already signed, the St. Boniface Facebook groups are chattering. Marty Gold asks her about the reasons she started a petition, the effect of traffic detoured past schools, and the confusion for delivery vehicles and even Post Office drivers to find addresses so complicated even Google Maps aren't accurate. 14.00 - Hear how a police officer declined to write up a $200 ticket on Sophie and on another neighbour "because he could tell I had no other way to get to my house." That's what led her to start the petition. "Even the cops who the city are employing to patrol the neighborhood and pull over only the locals who use this road, think it's redundant. They don't understand why they're there." 17.45 Part 2- Sophie was urged by her parents to take action. "Right after I got pulled over, I said yes. So I called my city councilor, sent him an email, and started a petition." "I've been complaining about this since the second it was put into place... it's still actively making our lives harder." Even though she took the City survey, she was never notified of the results. You'll hear her reaction to the actual percentages- and on ActionLine.ca you can see the survey results, after bureaucrats suspiciously failed to surpass 10% participation among the 3200 residents in Norwood Flats. The Season 5 Fundraising Drive is at $1705.00 towards our $5600 target - ⁠help us keep the momentum going by donating here!⁠ Every donor gets a copy of Retropeg as a sign of our appreciation! 24.20 - A clear majority of neighborhood residents wanted Lyndale Drive re-opened and a study done before a closure was considered. As we explain, bureaucrats included the overwhelming support of 70 cyclists- mathematically tipped the scales against the will of the community. That's how Norwood Flats got rooked. 32.00- Sophie tells of the intimidation of families using their cars from the other road users- and describes how Coun. Allard did not reply to her multiple calls and emails. 36.00 - She urges anyone interested to email her at norwoodflatspetition@gmail.com. (The petition is now at 246 supporters.) Sophie can augment the petition with the City survey results- that Matt Allard himself didn't understand - proving that the neighborhood wanted the street barriers removed and a new study done. City Council voted to do one but won't pony up the cash to pay for it. "I've been trying to get in contact with the Mayor's office... Here is proof there are hundreds of people who feel the same way I do."

Marty opens Episode 1o with an update on the Season 5 Funding drive, now at over 25% of the $5600 goal. Every donor gets a copy of Retropeg, and you'll hear some background about it and the collection of black and white photographs taken in the 1970's by the late James Donahue. Then, it's a Crime Courts and Public Safety update! 7.00 Part 2- Last July we spoke about the rise of "ganglets"- a term created by Sel Burrows to describe armed underage marauders terrorizing our streets. A year later 5 boys made the news, although only 4 were old enough to be charged. A 9 year old took part in a break-in and theft from a retailer before helping set fire to a gazebo in the West End, but will face no consequences. The others, all under 15, were released to a single adult. What did they have in common? Very likely, a file with the Families Department of Nahanni Fontaine. 11.35 - Mayor Scott Gillingham put his foot down and lectured social service agencies to stand down at homeless encampments and other scenes when the cops and fire department shows up. As it turns out, the ideologies encouraging the homeless to stay in their riverbank tents as we reported last month got a little too big for their britches. We explain why City Councilors should heed the advice of Marion Willis of Street Links: "It takes a little bit of tough love sometimes to move people out of their circumstances and into a better place. If all we're ever going to do is hand out granola bars, coffee, blankets and harm reduction, we're not really moving people forward." 17.30 - For over 15 years we've reported on the scourge of derelict housing. Winnipeg's policies still fail to get the number down under 500 and the city is getting more aggressive. But we've also seen so many screw-ups by City Hall, it makes us wonder if it is in fact possible that one landlord- now disabled- never did get any bills for overdue inspections and fines from the City before they sued her. 21.00 - As winter faded away the heated pro-Hamas marches in Winnipeg have toned down a bit, but antisemites hiding behind "Anti-Zionism" continue their campaign of harassment. You'll hear about a Fringe performer targeted for a boycott; then a recap of the very vile insults tossed around by the Professional Association of Residents and Interns of Manitoba (PARIM) board of directors in a chatroom. “It does appear to be right out of a Nazi playbook" said a local businessman who called for their ouster. 26.30 - An upcoming fall event is being co-sponsored by the City of Winnipeg and a council member, touting a DEI-based event called "Equitable Cities: How to liberate those caged by our transportation system". Insofar as the headline performer is a professor from a US campus that has been investigated for tolerating Jew-hate, taxpayers have a right to expect his background will be properly screened to ensure council isn't importing a speaker spreading antisemitic tropes in the cause of "equity". 29.50 Part 3- A look at what's coming up: more fake public consultation in St. Boniface, an interview with (now ex-EPC member) Coun. Brian Mayes of St. Vital, and your feedback on the podcasts and Winnipeg Sun columns! FOR LINKS TO POPULAR EPISODES & WINNIPEG SUN COLUMNS, AND TO DONATE TO COVER SEASON 5 COSTS - ⁠⁠CLICK HERE.⁠ ****** It's Summer time and that means more interviews, more street-level reporting, and more columns acting as YOUR VOICE in the Winnipeg Sun. We ask questions no one else will, about things no one else wants to tell the public about. We don't take a dime from federal subsidies and never will- but there's a lot more work we can do, with proper financial resources. Now is the time. Every donation big or small will keep the lights on, cover transportation and office expenses, pay for equipment upgrades, so we can produce more reports and podcasts and add more features. E-transfers, News tip, comments, email: martygoldlive@gmail.com

The final meeting of City Council before summer vacation had some important items on the agenda, and some gems from four councilors we've interviewed on the podcast previously. This week we do a listen-along of remarks from Mayor Scott Gillingham and from those council members last Thursday. What they say about proposals for garbage pick-up and fixing an old bridge will open your eyes to how fiscally confused our civic government has become. Part 1- An update of the $5600 Season 5 funding drive- and why donors love the gift of a copy of Retropeg for their support. 8.30 Part 2 - Mayor Gillingham hopped on Zoom to get his say in the July council debates. Hear how he seemed to be for adding more City-run garbage collection, before he was against it. 14.55 - St. Vital councilor Brian Mayes hearkens back to the lessons learned from the Golf course controversy a decade ago, as he challenges Gillingham's math about what the extra costs would be for a mixed service. "Wow you're going to increase that by maybe 8 million over over 7 years on this $280 Million base contract." You'll hear the comparisons to Ottawa and Calgary, and why their approach would make sense for Winnipeg, especially since "the arson thing is really a red herring." Has your city councilor told you how expensive household garbage fees are going to become under Gillingham's current plan? 24.20 Part 3 - For years we wondered why replacing the ancient Louise Bridge disappeared from the City priority list. Last week's decision to squeeze another 25 or 30 years out of it exposes why- it's because the north and east side of the City don't count. For E- transfers, advertising inquiries, news tips and your comments-- martygoldlive@gmail.com The bigger picture, says Coun. Russ Wyatt of Transcona, is that not replacing the bridge but merely refurbishing it for $40M means the taxpayers essentially saw millions wasted on the eastern corridor study. Wyatt notes the plan is to close the bridge for 2 years. The effect on traffic, especially after Gillingham forces Portage and Main open to pedestrians and extra transit buses, will be catastrophic. "This could have been avoided... where is the leadership from our senior management? This is something any public works director worth his salt wouldn't have signed off on." Wyatt asks a good question- why isn't the City adding a new span to get buses over the river and remove them from traffic lanes? 38.20- Hear why Mynarski Councilor Ross Eadie, whose ward borders the bridge, reluctantly agrees with the stop-gap solution. 41.00 Jason Schreyer's ward is the most affected by the decision. He provides a history lesson about the Louise Bridge. and how council for 20 years refused to save the money needed to replace and modernize it. Instead, councilors doled out the dough to infrastructure projects in other, more politically important neighborhoods than Elmwood. 45.00 - Marty explains the downside of Gillingham's plans: Adding buses and bike lanes downtown while opening P & M at the same time as closing the Louise Bridge- what can go wrong? Plenty. Meanwhile, as his Winnipeg Sun column this week describes, the City is rushing through a 30 year transportation plan while making sure the public has no chance to study the implications and tell their councilor what they think. No one at City Hall dares admit it will massively extend commute times for people on Winnipeg's east side, including St. Boniface, East Kildonan and Transcona- and the North End. We will continue to expose the bias against those neighborhoods. ****** Coming up: An interview with Coun. Brian Mayes, and trouble on the western front for St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard. ******* Our analysis and interviews hold politicians and bureaucrats accountable! We've raised $1525.00 towards our $5600 target - help us keep the momentum going! FOR LINKS TO POPULAR EPISODES & WINNIPEG SUN COLUMNS, AND TO DONATE TO COVER OUR SEASON 5 COSTS - ⁠⁠CLICK HERE

The urban visionary crowd suffered a humiliating setback last week in their campaign to convince Winnipeg residents that a slip lane for cars is the most dangerous aspect of life in Osborne Village, and that expressing public safety concerns is fearmongering. The Gas Station Arts Centre said no to gaslighting the public and yes to a permanent redesign of the exterior courtyard entrance to fence off the space used as part of the notorious 'Circle" on River Avenue. As Marty Gold explains, even the most left-wing arts groups find out they have to draw the line for their social activism when campouts, open fires, drug dealing, and soiled mattresses are outside their door. “What we're looking at is establishing our courtyard for our patrons,” said Executive Director Nick Kowalchuk. “What I want is a patron to feel comfortable." 9.40- A man from Kitchener-Waterloo previously passed on a job offer at the Gas Station, and you'll hear why. It wasn't because of the slip lane. Violent crime went up over 50% in the Village, and now even MSM is being forced to report it as the reason Starbucks- packed from morning to night with customers - shuttered their store. Bike lanes are not going to help improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the area as long as social disorder - especially caused by homeless troublemakers -continues unchecked. 16.00 - The problems caused by homeless campers was amplified near the University of Manitoba by competing visions for public safety. An effort by Street Links to relocate one disruptive bunch in Glengarry Park to secure accommodations was derailed by a competing organization that showed up, the Main Street Project. While the Free Press presented it as a mere difference of approach, CBC actually provided a narration from area Coun. Janice Lukes that exposed how MSP swooped in, telling the campers, "'No, you don't need to go, you have rights. Your right is to stay on this encampment and stay here. And here, do you want some coffee and cookies?'" "(We) take a human rights-based approach to supporting community members,” claimed a spokesperson, but what they mean is, the human rights of the campers. The residents? Well, since without homeless people, MSP would lose its funding, their human rights don't count. "I've stayed indoors a lot more than I normally would... We lived here for years without locking our front door, and we don't go anywhere without locking our front door now." Despite what Lukes called "astronomical" health risks, Winnipeg administrators have "no plans to make the encampment residents leave the site." Marty asks how long open sewage and property crime near the homes of Mayor Scott Gillingham or Premier Wab Kinew would be tolerated before the encampments would be evicted. We know the answer- and so do they. ******* Following up on our coverage of the city abandoning Happyland Pool, Marty Gold wrote this column in the Winnipeg Sun on July 7 -⁠ The sad story of St. Boniface's Happyland pool⁠, as area residents have hoisted banners pointing the finger at the Mayor and area Councilor Matt Allard for the closure. The column has gotten a lot of attention, as have the banners. ******* We keep politicians, bureaucrats and MSM on their toes, and it's all done with the financial support of listeners, readers and residents who know we will be their voice. Our Season 5 Fundraising Target is $5600. It is a tight budget that keeps the bills paid, and keeps us on the beat in service of the community. You can help us out today! All donors will receive a copy of Retropeg as a token of appreciation, it's a magnificent time capsule of Winnipeg in the 1970's and is provided for the donors by a longtime supporter in the publishing industry. Comments, news tips, E-transfers: martygoldlive@gmail.com

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Episode 4 opens with exciting news, as the Winnipeg Sun has asked Marty Gold to become a regular Sunday columnist. It's a result of the success of the TGCTS podcast, telling it like it is- with your support. The first column, ⁠'Winnipeg transit like riding a bus in Gotham'⁠ explained how the new 'transit cops' aren't actually going to arrest anyone, and won't be turfing fare jumpers either. 5.00 Part 1 - Following up on ⁠our interview with Elmwood-East Kildonan Councilor Jason Schreyer⁠ about the perilous state of civic finances, we next delved into ward and city-wide issues. - Schreyer has first-hand experience with foot patrols, and "will do whatever I can" to help them monitor crime and public safety in EK. - "It's pretty sensible" to review if the City should restore community-based policing to Elmwood. He questions a decision made before he was elected to eliminate the 2 cop offices in the ward. "I need to look at that," Schreyer says. "Why shouldn't we? It's not getting any better. It's a human right for people to feel safe in their neighborhood." Schreyer understands the fear people have at night, as he regularly walks the area around the Redwood bridge. 15:20 Part 2- Schreyer admits that councilors have STILL never been told that 99 parking spots are being erased for Coun. Matt Allard's bike lanes on Goulet, Marion and Traverse. He only learned about ⁠it from our investigation⁠ into ⁠a rigged Open House⁠ last year. - Public consultation for the 'Moving on Marion" project ⁠failed to consult area businesses⁠ or the St. Boniface Hospital- and Schreyer acknowledges seeing ⁠the resulting gridlock on Goulet⁠ that delays all traffic including ambulances. "Hopefully within the whole process of doing this, we learn from it." 21.30 - Maintaining timely ambulance services isn't ever considered by city planners, Coun. Schreyer observes. - He was asked about a hearing he chaired discussing a new 220 unit housing proposal- with a projected average tenant age of 72- on Dawson Road South and Fermor Avenue in the southeast quadrant. Does the City consider how long it will take to the nearest ER? "I can't remember the last time they mentioned that ... These are things that cannot be ignored. We didn't build these hospitals for nothing." 24.00- Schreyer is surprised the City ⁠is refusing to provide a 911 call⁠ to a grieving family after a subsequent suicide. He's baffled why they were refused because of an alleged privacy exemption - "I thought 911 calls were public"- and says he will welcome hearing from the family about their fight with City Hall. - Schreyer concludes the interview by complimenting our 'Let's get right down ta business' style of reporting: "You're hitting the issues. All your questions deserve answers. Let's keep going." ****** It's Summer time and that means more interviews, more street-level reporting, and more columns acting as YOUR VOICE in the Winnipeg Sun. We ask questions no one else will, about things no one else wants to tell the public about. We don't take a dime from federal subsidies and never will- but there's a lot more work we can do, with proper financial resources. Now is the time. We're asking for friends and supporters to kick in with contributions to ⁠our $5600 funding campaign⁠ - with $800 raised already, we know Winnipeg recognizes how we fill the gap in the media landscape. Every donation big or small will keep the lights on, cover transportation and office expenses, pay for equipment upgrades, so we can produce more reports and podcasts and add more features. Take a moment to use ⁠our Donate page⁠, or you can send Interac transfers, advertising inquiries, news tips and your comments, to martygoldlive@gmail.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ***** X/Twitter @TGCTS Join our Facebook Group Marty Gold will be hosting CWE wrestling events at the Vita Canada Day Festival on Sunday June 30 at 6pm, and at CFB Shilo at 8pm on July 1 starring “the Mountie” Jacques Rougeau !

Episode 3 showcases the return of the Crime Courts and Public Safety Update, with a look at the lasting legacy of the police chief, soon to ankle the stage. Part 2- After Coun. Jason Schreyer endorsed an idea of former Mayoral candidate Don Woodstock about recycling discarded road rubble and saving taxpayers on construction costs, we wanted Don to respond. He joins Marty Gold to review Schreyer's comments about performance bond enforcement and Winnipeg's debt from long-term interest payments, which siphons tax dollars away from pools and parks. They also discuss the sudden exit of CAO Michael Jack after a stunning audit that left Coun. Janice Lukes in tears. Comments, news tips, Interac donations, to join our email list - martygoldlive@gmail.com Has the taxpayer been duped by Jack's previous assurances the public service was being held to standards? Woodstock points the finger at the people who hired the former legalist for the top job. He notes they willingly agreed with then-Mayor Brian Bowman that outside eyes weren't needed after scandals and cost overruns rocked 510 Main St. Almost every member of the current chamber – starting with Mayor Scott Gillingham- raised their hands and promoted an insider instead. 23:25 - Part 3-  The Crime Stats that usher out the Danny Smyth era illustrate a litany of failure. -   Hear a by-the-numbers review of how out of control Winnipeg homes, stores and streets have become -  with almost every key indicator (ie robberies, knives) a double-digit hike. - A special look at youth crime rates, and recent incidents with run-amok teens destroying a Shoppers. More than one arrest a week last year was of a kid under 12, who can't be charged. Thanks, YCJA! -  The foursome- 2 aged 18, 2 girls under 18-  single-handedly wiped out the narrative of a Free Press columnist. Disputing a column by Shannon Sampert, he claimed Osborne Village was booming and the closure of the River Avenue Starbucks had nothing to do with crime. Someone forgot to tell the cops that, as special foot patrols have launched in the Village, the West End and the Exchange District -  Armed teens threatened other teens at the Red River Ex- and the CEO takes charge of fixing the problem -  A North End 7-11 and a downtown Dollarama had to deal with criminals too- with one locking out a shoplifting homeless mob and the other catching a thief wanted on warrants. All form part of Danny Smyth's legacy. A police spokesman told the media ‘Few, if any, shelters in the city have staff trained to deal with people in a meth-induced psychosis.' We ask- Is the NDP planning for meth use at safe consumption sites? - Meanwhile, you'll hear about two local agencies duking it out over how to handle a homeless camp. We also have an odd story about a deceased person found in the West End- a demonstration of the ripple effects of crime and social disorder in a City where chaos is the new normal. SEASON 5 BRINGS MORE FEATURES, MORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYSIS AND MORE INTERVIEWS ! SUPPORT OUR ⁠$5600 FUNDING CAMPAIGN⁠ TODAY! Follow us on Twitter/X

A Winnipeg Free Press editorial derided the residents of Wolseley for fighting City Hall, comparing them to "stereotypical Winnipeggers who staunchly oppose" new policies and are "“notoriously” resistant to change." Sounds like they opposed a bike lane, right? But this time, it wasn't about bikes. This was about buses. In Episode 2 of Season 5, you'll hear about the contempt the newspaper showed for almost 500 concerned residents of Wolseley and West Broadway. (See charts listing their concerns on ActionLine.ca.) Part 1- The contempt starts with the special interest group driving the changes. The Transit lobby demands means the City is "taking the system we have right now and blowing it up and starting over again." For Wolseley that meant bus traffic was aiming where it isn't wanted, risking homes and school kids. A 'Greenway' is no place for a bus. With no routing planned west of Arlington, users there face walking for 20 minutes to get to a stop, in winter, at night. Whose side did the Free Press take? Not the taxpayers or the actual bus users in Wolseley. Their concerns are "cultural obstinancy." The "culture" the Free Press insists taxpayers adopt is that of a group called Functional Transit Winnipeg. It had steered a moderate course under its founder, Joe Kornelson but has taken a radical turn after a former NDP politician from Calgary got involved. You'll hear key background the media- and their own website - doesn't tell you, and you'll wonder why. Then you'll hear what the editorial didn't tell readers about what's at stake. Our reports, interviews and investigations for Season 5 are better than ever- telling the stories the media won't. We earn your support! Help us reach the $5600 summer target by donating here! 16:44  Part 2 - We sample feedback about the meeting, and about the comment of FTU's Brian Pincott- who has lived in Winnipeg for all of 5 years- that the #10 is "the most inefficient route imaginable." Functional Transit Winnipeg and their allies at the Free Press dismissed faked consultation, safety issues, 20 minute walks to a stop, and labeled the residents as luddites. Is that logical? 22.00 Marty Gold exposes how the planners rigged the consultation process after Transit admitted they 'differentiate stakeholders from residents." A previous bike lane audit required the City to treat residents as stakeholders- so what gives? To boot, St. Boniface parents had no idea of the route change. A St. B school trustee laughed it off. 28:04  Forced to re-jig route plans in St. James after Kelly Ryback spoke up, promised discussions with Wolseley users were kaiboshed. One theory: "It would apparently be too disruptive because they are concerned other neighbourhoods uncovering flaws will demand the same." The effect of an Arlington route boundary on seniors, kids and women further west, and whether buses will interfere with emergency vehicles using Arlington south of Portage are valid, vital safety concerns - but not to the Functional Transit Winnipeg lobby group. The media described Pincott's position: 'the biggest challenge for the city is not getting bogged down with individual needs and wants.' Instead, Pincott wants a City hiring spree to plant cheerleaders for the master plan at bus stops. Guess how much it costs? Comments, news tips, Interac donations- martygoldlive@gmail.com The snubbing of people taking time to deal with City Hall was capped off by Public Works chair Janice Lukes. “So maybe it's a year of no transit [in some areas]" No buses for a year? MSM won't explain the impact of her cavalier gamble on going to church, shopping, getting home after basketball practice. "Maybe it's a year of transit on the greenway. It can change after a year.” As Marty points out, it could change on Tuesday at EPC, if councilors develop some backbone and represent the voters and Route 10 transit users, and not the bus lobby. Coming up: Crime and Courts Update; More with Coun. Jason Schreyer; Tuxedo Votes

Season 5 kicks off with an in-depth interview with Elmwood- East Kildonan Councilor Jason Schreyer, who takes on bureaucrats, unchecked construction inflation and ongoing City borrowing he says is unsustainable. The 3 term Winnipeg councillor wants a review of the rules around long-term borrowing, especially when it's underwriting infrastructure projects that come in way over budget. “It was not something being talked about regularly” when he was first elected. Now city finances are in trouble. A member of the Water and Waste committee, he also addressed whether the City should be leveraging performance bonds posted by contractors to control spiraling costs. SEASON 5 BRINGS MORE FEATURES, MORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYSIS AND MORE INTERVIEWS ! SUPPORT OUR ⁠$5600 FUNDING CAMPAIGN⁠ TODAY! Part 1 - 3:05: "The problem is more and more pressure is being put on municipal governments" since the 1980's, said Schreyer. Council recently voted to finance an extra $23M for a South Winnipeg recreation campus but is draining Happyland Pool over a $100,000 shortfall, which Marty Gold challenged as being unfair to the less affluent St. Boniface ward. "I'm not going to dispute what you're saying," replied Schreyer. "We've got a problem with construction inflation more than any other inflation at city hall.” 9.30- A discussion about contractor performance bonds. How is Council protecting the public interest and who is being held accountable? An example Schreyer has seen first-hand is in our report: ⁠Goulet Bike Lane Barricaded, New Lanes A Treacherous Wreck⁠ "There should be answers for these questions you're asking." Part 2 - 16.07 - Jason Schreyer notes the media had never once asked him about construction inflation before this interview. He feels that the media contributed to a lack of information for taxpayers “about why costs are going up, increasing all our taxes, fines, fees, levies, and rates at an unprecedented rate and actually reducing services.” The interest being paid on long-term bonds is "not sustainable" and Schreyer agrees that it's time for a review of city practices. Citing the rate of inflation outpacing wages for 30 years, “now we're forced to, relative to the income of Winnipeggers, sell more and more debentures." “I don't feel like its my job to defend the administration or City Hall. Cost overruns happen, (but) we should do a record of how often contractors are actually under the estimates... we should always be vigilant in terms of every single construction contract, yes we should.”   Comments, news tips, Interac donations- martygoldlive@gmail.com 22.10- A former Mayoral candidate has raised the idea of the City generating millions by opening an aggregate plant- and Schreyer said there was a good precedent:   “I'm very grateful to Don Woodstock for taking up these issues. … back in the day, the city owned its own gravel quarry." Hear Schreyer describe his questions about whether the City selling off its quarries had saved any money- and the stonewall bureaucrats put up. "There is no answer from the administration on this. That tells you what kind of trouble we're in. We can't think, 'if the administration can't give answers that's the end of that'- the opposite is true!” Listen for why Schreyer and Coun. Russ Wyatt just pushed off a proposed housing plan on Dawson Road because bureaucrats were unprepared for their line of questioning. "It's the right thing to do." 26:56  The interview concludes with Schreyer focusing on accountability from City Hall and councilors. "I don't blame people for that concern, I have that concern. Do you think I get my questions answered at city hall?" he states. "There is no accountability on the issue of further debt. Because if you really project it… I don't see how it's sustainable... I'm not here to look at things with rose-coloured glasses on." 28:18 - Episode 1 closes with a recap of Schreyer's major points, and our focus on first-time donors for the Season 5 funding campaign!

Join Rahul and Ben for their discussion with Indiana trial lawyer Lee Christie and Trial Lawyers for Justice Attorney, Karen Zahka, as they break down their recent trial against Tesla.  Although the case started out as a simple pickup truck vs. motorcycle accident involving a left turn, the personal involvement of Elon Musk led to an unusual investment of resources on the defense side and high drama in the courtroom.  To get to verdict, the plaintiff had to navigate a series of landmines and obstacles, including numerous law firms entering and exiting the case, a sea of motions, dozens of requests for mistrial and a hold-out juror that almost led to a mistrial during jury deliberations.   Link to animation video mentioned in episode:https://hypelegal.wistia.com/medias/z8rn4p0v6u About Lee Christie Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers | Christie Farrell Lee & Bell (cflblaw.com) Lee Christie is a part­ner with Christie Farrell Lee & Bell and is a life­long Indi­ana res­i­dent. He is pas­sion­ate in rep­re­sen­ta­tion, and takes pride in the relationships he devel­ops with his clients. He has exten­sive trial expe­ri­ence in both fed­eral and state court and is a fre­quent lec­turer on trial, medi­a­tion, per­sonal injury, med­ical mal­prac­tice, truck­ing acci­dents, and set­tle­ment issues. Lee has represented thousands of clients who have been personally injured and has obtained settlements and verdicts as high as $30.5M.  Lee is highly civically engaged with several Indiana organizations, including the Walker Foundation (founding board member and officer) and Indianapolis Bar Foundation (board member and officer), and is a patron of the YMCA.  He is past president of the Lawrence Township Girls Basketball League and continues to work with youth in the inner city of Indianapolis. AchievementsLee has been selected by Super Lawyers as a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Indi­ana and was named the Best Lawyer, Indi­anapo­lis Lawyer of the Year for Medi­a­tion (2014) and Arbitration (2012). He is a mem­ber of the Indi­ana Trial Lawyers Asso­ci­a­tion, the Amer­i­can Asso­ci­a­tion for Jus­tice, the Inter­state Truck­ing Lit­i­ga­tion Group, and Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Lee has verdicts and settlements ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to over $30 million. Hon­ors2025 President of the Indianapolis Bar AssociationIndiana Judicial Nominating and Qualifications Commission (to serve a three-year term beginning 1/1/23)Indiana State Bar Association GP Hall of Fame Award 2021National Trial Lawyers: Trucking Trial Lawyers Association Top 10 in IndianaIndiana Lawyer Distinguished Barrister Award, 2017Indi­ana Trial Lawyer's Asso­ci­a­tion Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2015National Asso­ci­a­tion of Dis­tin­guished Coun­sel – The Nation's Top One Per­cent, 2015, Founding MemberSelected to Top 10 Indi­ana Super Lawyers, 2014Selected to Top 50 Indi­ana Super Lawyers, 2005–presentThe Best Lawyers in Amer­ica,® Per­sonal Injury Lit­i­ga­tion—Plaintiffs, 2005-presentBest Lawyers® Indianapolis Medi­a­tion “Lawyer of the Year”Mar­tin­dale Hubbel high­est AVrat­ing, 1983-20172010 Civility Award Recipient – Indiana State Bar Association Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® for:Arbitration, Indianapolis (2024)Mediation, Indianapolis (2024)Arbitration, Indianapolis (2019)Mediation, Indianapolis (2018)Mediation, Indianapolis (2014)Arbitration, Indianapolis (2012) MembershipsIndianapolis Bar Association2025 PresidentNational Asso­ci­a­tion of Dis­tin­guished Coun­sel, Found­ing MemberAcademy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA)Amer­i­can Asso­ci­a­tion of Jus­tice (AAJ)Leaders ForumSus­tain­ing Mem­berInterstate Trucking Litigation GroupIndi­ana Trial Lawyers Asso­ci­a­tion (ITLA)Sus­tain­ing Mem­berCol­lege of Fel­lowsIndiana State Bar AssociationLitigation SectionSustaining MemberAdvanced Stud­ies in Trial AdvocacyFellow-National Col­lege of Advocacy Court AdmissionsU.S. Dis­trict Court for the North­ern Dis­trict of IndianaU.S. Dis­trict Court for the South­ern Dis­trict of Indiana Bar AdmissionsIndi­ana, 1982 RecognitionsAvvo Top Attor­ney Per­sonal Injury – Lawyer Lee Christie  About Karen Zahka Home - Trial Lawyers For Justice (tl4j.com) Karen is a Partner at Trial Lawyers for Justice. She is an experienced and passionate trial lawyer. While she was born and raised in Massachusetts, Karen litigates and tries cases nationwide. She is currently admitted to practice in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma. She practices in other jurisdictions via pro hac vice. Throughout Karen's career, she has contributed to many multi-million verdicts and settlements, including but not limited to: Andrea Larkin, et al. v. Dedham Medical Associates, et al.: Karen was integral in successfully recovering over $40 million (with interest) for a 28-year-old woman who suffered a catastrophic stroke hours after labor and delivery of her daughter. Following this victory, Karen fought to defend and succeeded in defending the verdict from the insurance company's attempt to overturn it on appeal. Edward Xu v. Tufts Medical Center, et al.:  Karen contributed to a $24.4 million verdict on behalf of a family whose newborn suffered from severe short bowel syndrome, which requires that he be tube fed for the rest of his life. Estate of Joshua Messier v. Bridgewater State Hospital: Karen helped to obtain a $3 million settlement for a family whose 23-year-old disabled son was improperly restrained and killed by correction officers at a Massachusetts prison. This success resulted in sweeping systemic changes to improve the care and treatment of disabled individuals in state prison systems. Estate of Zoe Rosenthal v. Charles J. Davignon, et al.: In April 2021, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Karen contributed to the $9.5 million verdict obtained on behalf of two daughters whose mother was negligently killed while walking her dog in a crosswalk near her home. According to the court clerk, this result set a record for a non-economic damages verdict for wrongful death with adult heirs in Western Massachusetts. While Karen is a zealous advocate for her clients, what she takes most pride in is that she cares about each of her clients on a personal level. She is a kind human first and a dedicated lawyer second. Karen recognizes that by the time you ask for her help, you have likely already experienced a catastrophic loss or injury. Compassion is a must, and she understands how overwhelming the legal system can be. It is for that reason that she always takes the time to explain each and every step of the legal process and she will be candid with you every step of the way. Karen received her undergraduate degree from Boston University, where she double majored in Political Science and Psychology. She then graduated from Suffolk University Law School, where she served as the Continuity Editing Assistant for The Journal of Health and Biomedical Law. She graduated from law school with Pro Bono Honors and was recognized for her time and commitment to volunteer legal services programs. Throughout law school, she not only worked full time, but also volunteered her nights and weekends with several non-profit programs dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence and assisting them in navigating the legal system to protect themselves and their loved ones. Since 2016, Karen has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. This designation is awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys under the age of 40 in each state. The Rising Stars selection process takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and a review by an independent blue-ribbon panel. In 2022, Karen received the “Excellence in the Law: Up & Coming Lawyer” award from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. This award is given to those select lawyers who have already distinguished themselves in the field in less than ten (10) years of practice. In 2019, Karen was selected to the National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, a professional organization that recognizes the top trial lawyers in each state. In her spare time, you can find Karen soaking up as much live music as possible or exploring the outdoors. BAR ADMISSIONSIowaMassachusettsNew HampshireOklahomaCaliforniaNebraska PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED PRO-HAC VICECaliforniaIndianaMissouriMontanaNebraskaOhioSouth Dakota EDUCATIONSuffolk University Law School– J.D. Juris DoctorBoston University– Bachelor of Science in Political Science / Psychology

Coun. Sarah Hamilton found herself in hot water for speaking at a UCP fundraiser instead of attending a council meeting. We talk with Jeremy Appel of The Orchard who broke the story.Here are the relevant links for this episode:CSU52 updateUnion for Edmonton city, library workers unveils salary increases in tentative dealCJHR updateAdvocacy group to pay City of Edmonton more than $11K in costs after failed encampment lawsuitGuest: Jeremy AppelThe Orchard@JeremyAppel1025Kenneyism: Jason Kenney's Pursuit of PowerHamilton's absenceEdmonton city councillor Sarah Hamilton skipped out on council meeting to headline UCP fundraiserSarah Hamilton's statementEdmonton city councillor Hamilton's involvement in UCP fundraiser questionedCouncil Code of ConductMichael Janz endorsement of Sarah HoffmanKeith Gerein: What's behind Alberta's push into municipal parties?Day shelter fundingBissell Centre likely to close day shelter space after city funding dries upBoyle Street to take over CHEW Project operationsRapid firePSA: City Hall re-opens to the publicJust add Nenshi, and it's a whole different Alberta NDP racePSA: City celebrates Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation DaySpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★