WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Winnipeg mayoral candidate Don Woodstock has announced a proposed plan to reduce water rates by 50% in 2027 and protect residents from disputed water bills, promising immediate action against city lawsuits linked to contested utility charges if elected.
Woodstock unveiled the proposal in a campaign announcement, pledging to freeze pending legal actions involving disputed water accounts, bring files back from outside legal firms and establish a Water Review and Relief Board to resolve billing complaints more quickly.
The candidate said the plan aims to address cases in which homeowners and small business owners allegedly received unusually high water bills because of faulty meters, administrative errors or unexplained billing discrepancies.
Woodstock Promises Immediate Action on Water Bill Disputes
Under the proposed plan, Woodstock said he would issue a mayoral order on his first day in office to suspend city lawsuits, collection referrals and property tax sale proceedings connected to disputed water accounts.
He argued that residents should not face legal proceedings or risk losing their properties while legitimate billing concerns remain unresolved.
Woodstock also criticised the city’s use of external legal firms to pursue unpaid water bills, arguing that prolonged court proceedings can increase costs for taxpayers while adding financial and emotional pressure on affected households.
However, the extent to which a mayor could independently suspend existing legal proceedings would depend on the city’s legal authority and applicable procedures.
Proposed Water Review and Relief Board
A central feature of Woodstock’s proposal is the creation of an internal Water Review and Relief Board consisting of three to five existing City of Winnipeg employees.
According to the campaign announcement, the board would operate without additional hires or new taxpayer funding. It would work alongside the city’s legal department to review complaints, hold expedited hearings and resolve disputed accounts.
Woodstock proposed granting the board authority to cancel charges, fees and interest in cases involving properties without running water, missing meters or confirmed municipal errors.
For unexplained billing increases, the board would be empowered under his proposed plan to reduce disputed charges by 50% or adjust them to reflect a property’s historical average consumption.
The campaign said the board would begin operating within 14 days of Woodstock taking office, with the aim of clearing the backlog of court-related water accounts within 30 days.
Candidate Proposes 50% Water Rate Reduction in 2027
Beyond individual billing disputes, Woodstock pledged to work with Winnipeg City Council to reduce water rates by 50% beginning in 2027.
He cited a reported $79 million surplus from the city’s water utilities as justification for providing financial relief to residents. The figure and the feasibility of the proposed reduction would need to be assessed against the city’s official financial statements, operating costs and infrastructure requirements.
The proposal would require cooperation with council and would need to be reconciled with the city’s budgetary, regulatory and infrastructure obligations.
Woodstock said his plan prioritises resolving residents’ complaints quickly rather than allowing disputes to continue through lengthy administrative and legal processes.
Focus on Affordability and Municipal Accountability
The announcement places water affordability, billing transparency and municipal accountability at the centre of Woodstock’s campaign platform.
If implemented, the proposals would significantly change how the city handles disputed water accounts and pursues collections. Their practical impact would depend on the legal powers available to the mayor, council approval where required, and the financial implications of reducing water rates.
Woodstock maintains that Winnipeg residents deserve a fair process for challenging water bills and timely corrections when municipal errors occur.
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