Winnipeg Election 2022

Cindy Gilroy - Daniel McIntyre

What got you into politics?

My family was very involved in politics as a child so that peaked my interest. When I started to raise my own family I wanted to contribute more to my community. When my children were starting school I began to help with the parent council and meeting other parents and hearing about issues in the school system and in the community.

After this I decided I wanted to offer my experience and knowledge, so 2006 I ran for a seat on the school board in the Winnipeg school division and was elected as a School Trustee.  This experience provided me with the knowledge to deal with large public sector budgets, human resources and how to work with a diverse group of trustees and administration. I really enjoyed working through complex issues and trying to provide solutions for parents and children in the school system.

So in 2010 I decided to run for City Council and was not elected. So in 2014 I tried again and was elected as the Councillor for the Daniel McIntyre ward and then re-elected in 2018.

What experience will you bring to compliment your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee)?

My career has provided me a opportunity to gain experience in many aspects of public administration, governance, conflict resolution and problem solving. I have 12 years of experience, four as a school trustee and last eight years as a city councillor.

As a councillor I have been asked and accepted large responsibilities on complex and diverse issues. My last term I was the chair of the Water and Waste department dealing with issues of garbage, waste water and environmental stewardship. After two years in that file I was asked to take on the chair of the Planning, Property and Development committee that’s deals with all issues regarding city planning, permits and land development.

In my years at City Hall I have been chair of the safety committee that looks how we create a safer more inclusive city and I also chair the housing committee that looks at how we build housing that supports all Winnipeggers needs for safe and affordable places to live.

 

What are some issues that you would like to stand for in your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee), and why are these issues important to you?

My focus has been on a few key issues over my term namely poverty reduction, housing and homelessness and environmental stewardship and climate change.  The city now has a poverty reduction strategy that was big priority for me last term. So in moving forward I would like to get funding to meet some of the goals to reduce poverty in our community. As it’s something that affects many in the Daniel McIntyre ward.

Housing and homelessness is something I would like to focus we were able to get some progress through the Rapid Housing Initiative with funding from the federal government to build affordable housing in the city including in the Daniel McIntyre ward but more needs to be done. We need to build and staff affordable and supporting housing that meets the needs of the community.

We need to take the climate crisis seriously that’s why I allocated a extra $300,000 to tree replanting in the Daniel McIntyre ward to deal with affects of climate change and as chair of the water and waste committee we initiated a pilot project for curbside composting that was very successful and I hope we can turn that into a city wide program.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

Over the last four years I have worked hard to represent the people of the Daniel McIntyre ward and all Winnipeggers. I have accepted large responsibilities to lead and to work with my colleagues and administration to build a community and a city we can be proud to call home. Over my term I have pushed for programs and services that meet the needs of the city and my ward. My focus on poverty reduction, housing, and climate change is directly related to the issues many in the Daniel McIntyre ward are facing.

I will continue to advocate for policies that make our city more equitable, just, and meets the basic needs of all who call this community home.

Thank you to residents of the Daniel McIntyre ward for putting their faith and trust in me over the last four years. I’m asking for you provide me that opportunity once again!

Cindy Gilroy