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For Release
November 15, 2005

Winnipeg Partnership Agreement invests in Winnipeg’s revitalization and partnership development

Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement continues to build on Winnipeg's diversity, unique neighbourhoods and will facilitate the development of partnerships between community-based organizations and volunteer professionals with $487,790 in funding for four projects.

The announcement was made today by Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board; Scott Smith, Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade; and his Worship, Mayor Sam Katz.

"The vision of Winnipeg as a strong and dynamic capital city is only enhanced by projects that will revitalize our neighbourhoods," said Minister Alcock. "These four initiatives celebrate Winnipeg communities and recognize the importance of developing partnerships."

"The building of a more vibrant Winnipeg is part bricks and mortar and part people. T he projects being announced today touch on both these elements," said Minister Smith. "The face of Winnipeg's downtown is changing, offering residents more opportunities to come together to share a unique experience and community groups are better positioned to benefit from professions and other community practitioners willing to share their knowledge."

"Projects like the ones we are announcing today will help to make an already great downtown even better. They will continue to build on a foundation to attract tourists and residents, which in turn will help create a beautiful and safe downtown. We all want a prosperous and healthy city," said Mayor Katz.

Funding will enable community-based organizations including the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation and L'Association des résidents du Vieux Saint Boniface to take the next steps toward revitalizing their neighbourhoods. The Forks Renewal Corporation and the Festival du Voyageur will explore ways to attract Winnipeggers to outdoor activities. The funding provided to Supporting Employment and Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (SEED Winnipeg) will provide a matching service that gives community projects access to a variety of professional services.

These investments demonstrate the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement's commitment to revitalize Winnipeg by enabling community groups to access technical services. Through these projects, citizens and visitors will also have enhanced opportunities to rediscover the downtown and enjoy Winnipeg's cultural offerings.

The funds announced today are under Component II – Building Sustainable Neighbourhoods, and Component III – Downtown Renewal of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement. Component II projects include those that promote community capacity, physical renewal, safety and crime prevention, community development and sustainable economic development. Component program III recognizes and builds upon recent efforts to revitalize Winnipeg's downtown by encouraging downtown living as well as stimulating economic and cultural initiatives in the city's core.

The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement was signed in May 2004. Community consultations are ongoing to develop the component programs. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the Website, www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca, for program details.

Federal funding for these projects is included in the fiscal framework. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is the federal department responsible for administering this agreement.

For additional information, contact:

Backgrounder

Winnipeg Partnership Agreement
Downtown Revitalization Funding Announcement

• St. Boniface Residents' Summit, $30,000 in WPA funding.
  With this summit, L'Association des résidents du Vieux Saint Boniface, will build on the momentum started at the 2002 residents' summit. Discussions will lead to a plan to develop solutions for the urban renewal of old St. Boniface. With a common goal, residents will be able to effectively invest their efforts in revitalizing Winnipeg's French quarter.

• Winter Activities Study, $40,000 in WPA funding.
  Working together, The Forks Renewal Corporation and the Festival du Voyageur, will study what winter activities will attract Winnipeggers downtown and tourists to the city. This initiative will maximize Winnipeggers spending their winter entertainment dollars on local activities.

• Spence Street Revitalization, $200,000 in WPA funding.
  The University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC), in partnership with the University of Winnipeg and the Spence Street Community is working to transform Spence Street, from Portage Avenue to Ellice, into a pedestrian-friendly corridor. Through consultations, specific needs related to housing, education, recreation, retail and commerce have been identified. This initiative addresses these needs and will revitalize the community and neighbourhood by providing green spaces, restaurants, shops and community services to the area. The resulting social infrastructure and economic growth in the area around the University of Winnipeg will benefit the entire city.

• Building Capacity Through Technical Assistance, $217,790 in WPA funding.
  Known as CEDTAS (Community Economic Development Technical Assistance Services), this project provides a matching service for community-based organizations requiring professional services. Professionals, like accountants or architects, are linked with community clients who have identified a need in their organization for a specific service. CEDTAS provides ongoing support to both professional volunteers and client organizations.