Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham speaks with media after the release of the provincial budget in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
Scott Gillingham is proposing a new Winnipeg growth office as part of his re-election campaign, aimed at speeding up service for business and improving the city’s readiness for major investment.
The office, called Winnipeg GO, would be led by a new chief growth officer reporting to the city’s chief administrative officer, consolidating economic development and infrastructure staff currently spread across departments.
“New investment — large and small, public or private — often goes to cities that can say ‘yes’ faster than the others,” said Gillingham, the city’s incumbent mayor, adding the city needs to bring scattered people and plans together to grow to a million people.
Chris Lorenc, president and CEO of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, endorsed the proposal, saying growth depends on infrastructure, planning, permitting, transportation and investment moving in the same direction.
Key functions would include maintaining an inventory of shovel-ready infrastructure projects, working with Manitoba’s new provincewide economic development agency, and creating a “311 for small business” service connecting businesses with human case managers.
Gillingham said at least 80 percent of the new unit would be staffed through redeployment, with a maximum of six new full-time positions created.
Winnipeg voters go to the polls on October 28.
