Welcome to Episode 6 of Ballot Babes—the podcast you wish you didn’t need, but absolutely do.
We’re here to devour, discuss, and digest everything happening at Winnipeg City Hall with wit, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

✨ Support the show: Visit BallotBabes.com and hit the Patreon link! Support us for as little as $3/month.
A huge thank you to our newest patron, Robyn—queen of getting things DONE. We appreciate you!

There’s a lot going on, and we are so here for it.

We break down the latest meeting with clips and commentary from:

• Councillor Duncan
• Councillor Lukes
• Councillor Durand-Wood
• Several delegates weighing in

We’re talking about the provincial budget’s announcement of free transit for youth—and what council had to say about it.

We play and discuss your calls on:

• How to support people running for office
• Voting records
• How to raise issues with the City of Winnipeg

The motion to ask the province for a 40 km/h default citywide speed limit, plus:

• Browaty’s poll
• Delegate feedback
• Pedestrian safety concerns, including a recent fatality at Main & Dufferin

We cover:

• The latest debate
• Key councillor clips
• Why the bike lane fight isn’t over
• Councillor Rollins’ new motion
• Councillor Lukes’ timeline for permanent design and construction

Do we believe construction will actually happen in 2027?
…We discuss.

We save this topic for last so you can watch the rest of the episode if this content is triggering.

We discuss recent news involving:

• A sitting Winnipeg city councillor
• A former Winnipeg city councillor and provincial cabinet minister

City Council works for you.
And this October—don’t just get mad.
Take your Babe to Vote.

Search votes by councillor:
https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/council/VIS/members

Event link – Empowering Women in Winnipeg (April 11):
https://janicelukes.ca/blog/empowering-women-in-winnipeg/

Bike Winnipeg – Active Transportation Info:
https://www.bikewinnipeg.ca/active-transportation-a-key-piece-of-winnipegs-climate-solution/

If you are feeling lost in the maze of Winnipeg politics, you're not alone. Many people don’t understand how municipal decisions impact their daily lives. But do not panic! The Ballot Babes are here! Our goal is to discuss the pressing political issues in Winnipeg leading up to the election on October 28th. This podcast will equip you with practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the decisions shaping your community.

In this episode we take calls from listeners regarding Winnipeg Transit and we dive deep into the latest Executive Policy Committee meeting, focusing on issues of safe speeds and the bike lane project on Wellington Crescent. If you didn’t have a chance to watch the latest meeting, we have digested and collected THE BEST “little videos” to help you understand:

1. An amazing delegation from University of Manitoba’s Professor Richard Milgrom explaining why a pilot project is the best form of public engagement;
2. Councillor Evan Duncan’s AMAZEMENT and condescension at a delegate’s preference to have the pilot project completed and give away 5.5 million to other, more pressing needs.
3. How the mayor, Scott Gillingham feels about senior citizens who want to use active transportation;
4. What Councillor Jeff Browaty thinks about slowing down the speed limit in residential streets;

Links:

Ballot Babes Website - Support Us and Leave us a Message! https://www.pattybikes.com/ballot-babes

Full Executive Policy Committee Meeting

https://youtu.be/_GoMvb7Zfug?si=JANUdFFZX8dII6Z1

Learn more about Sam’s books at www.smbeiko.com

Pre-order her new book here: https://ecwpress.com/products/sleuth-of-ferren-city?_pos=5&_sid=4edeea6bf&_ss=r

Patty’s website: https://www.pattybikes.com/

Order Patty’s book here: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371399/patty-wiens/thatll-never-work-here

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Local Politics

01:22 Reviewing City Hall's Recent Events

04:49 Feedback on Winnipeg Transit

09:26 Budget Priorities and Police Spending

10:27 City Hall's Executive Policy Committee Meeting

18:54 Community Engagement and Delegations

26:38 Expert Opinions on Infrastructure

28:17 Mayor's Comments on Seniors and Infrastructure

33:37 Speed Limit Discussions and Community Safety

41:42 Community Meetings and Civic Engagement

48:51 BallotBabes_Animation.mp4

48:55 NEWCHAPTER

#Winnipeg #MunicipalProjects #CityBudget #Infrastructure #CommunityEngagement #Housing #PublicTrust #CityCouncil #UrbanPlanning #PublicPolicy #Transportation #CommunitySafety #BikeLanes #SpeedLimits #PublicEngagement

Support this podcast by going to www.ballotbabes.com and clicking on the Patreon Link.

Do you take public transit in Winnipeg? Maybe you noticed the massive overhaul the system underwent in June, and maybe, like Sam, you lurk in the public Facebook groups of the masses decrying the change. Whatever your feelings about our public transit system in Winnipeg, this episode is for you! Learn about the reason for the changes, why they may actually be of benefit in the long run, how the feedback has broken down, and how you can send in your own (detailed, constructive, non-ragey) thoughts to the City of Winnipeg to help them make changes. Plus, we chat about what qualifications you need to become a City Councillor, a potential Free Fare system and what its impacts could be on Winnipeg, and finally we get you geared up for the next meeting at City Hall on March 17!

HOMEWORK

Send in your thoughts about public transit to 311 HERE: https://info.winnipegtransit.com/en/help/contact/

Look around on your commute: are you a fish who’s seen the water, yet?

March 17 - Executive Policy Committee Meeting

Phone or email Mayor Gillingham, Jeff Browaty, Janice Lukes, Evan Duncan, Ross Eadie, and Vivian Santos to let them know you’d like the cheaper, more efficient feedback gathering method – the temporary bike lane on Wellington – back on the agenda!

Find Councillors’ contact info here: https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/mayor-council/council-members

Find the EPC Meeting Agenda here: https://dmis.winnipeg.ca/ViewMeeting?documentId=27988§ionId=805033

Send in your comments or sign up to delegate here: https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/mayor-council/council-committee-meetings/participate-meeting/register-delegation-or-submit-comments-committee-council

Watch it live here: Watch here

Patreon Link

https://patreon.com/herproblem?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Winnipeg Babes Podcast

01:18 Discussing Winnipeg Transit Changes

03:32 Community Involvement in Elections

08:27 Comparing Transit Systems: Brazil, Toronto, Winnipeg

12:21 Details of Winnipeg Transit Overhaul

15:14 Public Feedback and System Improvements

18:07 Funding Challenges and Provincial Politics

22:47 How to Effect Change in City Infrastructure

27:35 Engaging with City Council Meetings

36:54 The Economics of Free Transit

46:50 Upcoming Public Meetings and How to Participate

52:06 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Check out our website at ballotbabes.com and send us a voice memo with your thoughts

In this episode, we reveal the secret inner workings of Winnipeg’s governance, exposing a system that keeps the public in the dark and makes real change nearly impossible. We dive into the notorious "strong mayor" model, showing how private briefings, limited transparency, and a handful of decision-makers wield control over city projects, from budget cuts to infrastructure delays. Plus, laugh and get outraged as we dissect a recent public works meeting filled with shortcuts, sneaky motions, and political games designed to thwart community efforts.

00:00 Introduction to Local Politics

01:12 Understanding Winnipeg's Governance Model

15:37 The Strong Mayor Model and Its Implications

16:02 Public Works Meeting Insights

31:12 Understanding Delegations and Their Impact

37:22 Navigating City Council Meetings

43:47 The Role of Community Advocacy

49:00 Analyzing Recent Council Decisions

57:35 Next Steps for Advocacy and Engagement

Councillor Lukes’ Website: https://janicelukes.ca/

Winnipeg Governance Model Video by Councillor Luke's - https://youtu.be/nx_T03uG6a8?si=SJtBVBaFjym7QwZw

City of Winnipeg Official Website - https://winnipeg.ca

Public Works Committee Meetings - City of Winnipeg - https://winnipeg.ca/council/meetings/public-works

City of Winnipeg election results 2022 - https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/clerks/election/election-2022/results/index.html

As a Patreon supporter, you get first dibs on this episode, so make sure to go to Patty’s Patreon page and add to cart

Order Patty’s book in Canada from McNally Robinson: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371399/patty-wiens/thatll-never-work-here?blnBKM=1

and in the USA from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/that-ll-never-work-here-challenging-the-myths-around-biking-in-a-winter-city-the-city-project-book-3/632bcbd73d3178fe?ean=9781773371399&next=t

Sign up for Patty’s newsletter at www.pattybikes.com

Learn more about Sam’s books at www.smbeiko.com

Pre-order her new book here: https://ecwpress.com/products/sleuth-of-ferren-city?_pos=5&_sid=4edeea6bf&_ss=r

Welcome to Ballot Babes! Our inaugural episode explores the importance of local politics in Winnipeg, how city council decisions impact your daily life, and how citizens like you can become more engaged in the political process–with a civic election coming up in October! Hosts Patty Wiens and Sam Beiko share personal stories, recent political events, and practical tips for voter engagement.

Resources:

Standing Policy Committee of Public Works Agenda for March 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM

Winnipeg Transportation Master Plan

City of Winnipeg Council Meetings

How to Find Your City Councillor in Winnipeg

Logo designed by Sam Beiko using graphics created by Amir Rahman Sunaryo and Gantar Priot Logo animation by Vandalante.ywg

So you care about voting–now what?

Welcome back to Ballot Babes, where we demystify Winnipeg civic politics ahead of the October 28 municipal election! We’re dropping a somewhat urgent episode in light of the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works meeting, taking place March 4, 9:30am at City Hall. We’re going to tell you all about what this committee does, who is on the committee, and why you should care about this upcoming meeting! If you can go in person, we highly recommend it; if you can write in comments or delegate at this meeting, we walk you through why engaging with these processes matter when it comes to influencing the fabric of our local democracy.

We’ll be particularly focusing on the scrapping of the temporary bike lane infrastructure hard fought for since 2024, and the motion for city-wide speed limit reduction.

Got feedback, thoughts about your neighbourhood, or you just want a place to vent? Head over to ballotbabes.com and select LEAVE A MESSAGE! We listen to them all, and we’re right there venting with you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Civic Engagement

07:48 Current Events at City Hall

19:07 Public Works Committee and Infrastructure

25:11 Wellington Crescent Bike Lanes Discussion

31:51 Speed Reduction Recommendations

36:51 Empowering Community Voices

37:05 BallotBabes_Animation.mp4

37:09 NEWCHAPTER

Meeting Agenda:

Sign up to delegate or submit comments:

Public Works Meeting from November 2024 where Councillor Lukes suggests temporary bike lanes

City of Winnipeg, Council members directory

Links

As a Patreon supporter, you get first dibs on this episode, so make sure to go to Patty’s Patreon page and add to cart

Support Patty’s podcast at www.pattybikes.com/podcast

Sign up for Patty’s newsletter at www.pattybikes.com

Learn more about Sam’s books at www.smbeiko.com

Pre-order her new book here: https://ecwpress.com/products/sleuth-of-ferren-city?_pos=5&_sid=4edeea6bf&_ss=r