CUPE endorsement, infill and planning criticisms on Winnipeg campaign trail

Scott Gillingham got the endorsement of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500, which represents 5,000 City of Winnipeg employees. Union President Patrick Trouton praised the incumbent mayoral candidate for creating new programs like the Community Safety Officers and the Neighborhood Action Teams, of which Trouton is a former member. If QP Local 500 needs anything, he's just a phone call away, and looking forward to keeping up that. That that relationship. The city and union are heading into binding arbitration talks over a new contract next month. Gillingham says that doesn't pose a conflict of interest. We won't always agree on every item, but what's important is respectful dialogue, understanding of one another. Meanwhile, Kevin Klein promised to roll back infill zoning rules that currently allow construction of up to four units on all residential lots. He cited the example of Calgary, which reversed similar zoning changes without losing out on federal housing funds. Winnipeggers are angry because Gillingham's city hall forced blanket zoning rules on their neighborhoods. Without listening to them. Taking away their right to be heard, and Mike Boyadjakis criticized the city's long-term planning document, Our Winnipeg 2045. I asked two or three people yesterday, "Do you know what the 2045 plan is?" No one had a clue. Boyadjakis blamed the plan for increasing traffic congestion and disrupting neighborhoods by pushing densification. The plan is up for review next year. Cameron McLean, CBC News, Winnipeg.