Don Woodstock’s DOGE Proposal Targets Inefficiencies in Winnipeg City Hall

The Department of Government Efficiencies (D.O.G.E) is being proposed as a transformative solution to Winnipeg’s chronic challenges, aiming to eliminate waste, enhance accountability, and rebuild public trust. Former mayoral candidate Don Woodstock, inspired by similar initiatives under consideration in the United States, believes this plan could help rescue the city from its current state of financial mismanagement and infrastructure decay.

With Winnipeg’s debt soaring to $2 billion and the city facing crumbling roads, homelessness, and rising crime, urgent action is needed. “The Arlington Bridge is broken, our streets are deteriorating, and crime is out of control,” Woodstock stated. “We cannot afford more of the same.” The D.O.G.E initiative seeks to bring efficiency to city operations while addressing these pressing issues.

A key aspect of his plan involves eliminating contract practices he beleives to be exploitative. “Companies awarded major contracts, like those for snow removal, would no longer be allowed to subcontract the work and act as middlemen. Instead, winning bidders would be required to directly fulfill their contracts.” Said Woodstock. This measure aims to cut unnecessary costs and ensure greater accountability, saving taxpayers significant sums.

Another cornerstone of the proposal is the establishment of a city-run aggregate recycling program for road construction. Currently, private entities profit by recycling aggregate and selling it back to the city at inflated prices. By investing $1.2 million, the city could generate $30 million annually, transforming a costly inefficiency into a revenue stream. Performance bonds on contractors responsible for major projects, like the Water Sewage Treatment Plant, would also be enforced to prevent cost overruns, potentially saving hundreds of millions.

The initiative encourages community involvement by incentivizing cost-saving ideas. Employees and residents who submit actionable proposals would receive a one-time payout equal to 10% of the annual savings generated. This collaborative approach empowers the people of Winnipeg to actively contribute to a more efficient future.

Beyond financial reforms, the proposal tackles examples of poor oversight, such as excessive legal expenses and wasteful spending on unnecessary infrastructure. It also targets questionable uses of public funds, like councillors using city resources for self-promotional advertisements. “If public representatives need taxpayer dollars to promote their names, it highlights a disconnect at the expense of citizens,” Woodstock argued.

Winnipeg faces a pivotal moment. The broken Arlington Bridge, rising crime, and rampant homelessness reflect a governance system that has failed its people. The proposed changes offer pragmatic solutions to redirect resources to critical areas, including road repairs, public safety, and housing initiatives.

“Our city is at a crossroads,” Woodstock emphasized. “The choices we make today will define the Winnipeg we leave for future generations.”

Whether Mayor Scott Gillingham will rise to the challenge remains uncertain. However, the urgency for reform cannot be overstated. The D.O.G.E initiative is not merely a cost-saving measure—it represents a roadmap to a more efficient and accountable city. As the ombudsman’s investigation into the city’s bond practices unfolds, Winnipeg’s leaders face a critical question: will they seize the opportunity to chart a better course, or will they let inefficiency and waste persist?

Winnipeggers deserve bold action and decisive leadership. The time to demand better is now.

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