Welcome to OURS-Winnipeg
OURS-Winnipeg (Outdoor Urban Recreational Spaces – Winnipeg) is a city-wide, community-based, greenspace advocate organization with a focus on urban greenspace, natural and river corridors and the urban forest. Parks, greenspace and natural areas are essential to making Winnipeg an attractive place to live, work and visit. With good planning and care they will be here for generations to come.
Winnipeg Election — October 28, 2026
Your voice matters. As we approach the Winnipeg municipal election, we ask you to encourage candidates to make our environment and natural spaces a priority.
Questions to ask your candidates
Will you -
👉 work with City Council to ensure the Greenspace and Natural Corridors Plan and Biodiversity Policy are completed without further delay, and that immediate funding is dedicated to its implementation? engage.winnipeg.ca/greenspace-plan
👉 commit to immediate funding to acquire 1,000 acres of new parkland while there is still land left to acquire?
👉 commit to restoring, protecting, and enhancing Winnipeg’s waterways for generations to come?
Ask candidates where they stand—make sure our greenspaces, biodiversity, parkland, and waterways are part of the election conversation.
City of Winnipeg Candidate Contact List - Visit candidates' websites and social media
https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/wards-elections/2026-election/information-voters/registered-candidates
Winnipeg Election — October 28, 2026
Your voice matters. As we approach the Winnipeg municipal election, we ask you to encourage candidates to make our environment and natural spaces a priority.
Questions to ask your candidates
Will you -
👉 work with City Council to ensure the Greenspace and Natural Corridors Plan and Biodiversity Policy are completed without further delay, and that immediate funding is dedicated to its implementation? engage.winnipeg.ca/greenspace-plan
👉 commit to immediate funding to acquire 1,000 acres of new parkland while there is still land left to acquire?
👉 commit to restoring, protecting, and enhancing Winnipeg’s waterways for generations to come?
Ask candidates where they stand—make sure our greenspaces, biodiversity, parkland, and waterways are part of the election conversation.
City of Winnipeg Candidate Contact List - Visit candidates' websites and social media
https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/wards-elections/2026-election/information-voters/registered-candidates
Current activity
Greenspace and Natural Corridors Plan (by-law) and Biodiversity Policy - a legacy plan
Motion - Establishing Policies for the Protection of Waterways
Water and Waste Committee July 2 2026 Report due - Jan/Feb 2027
dmis.winnipeg.ca/ViewMeeting?documentId=29330
Winnipeg Climate Action Plan Update - June 2026
Include nature based solutions
Draft plan - 2027
engage.winnipeg.ca/winnipeg-climate-action-plan-update
City by-law rewrite - Lacks a green lens - Park land is a land use
The City of Winnipeg is updating its Zoning By‑laws for the first time in 20 years.
City of Winnipeg Survey was open until June 5 2026. https://engage.winnipeg.ca/zoning-rewritegreenspace_at_risk__home_page_may_25_2026.pdf
Proposed narrow property setbacks are harmful to waterways and tree preservation
Bird Friendly
City Council unanimously approved a weaker version of bird-friendly window guidelines- January 21, 2026
Greenspace and Natural Corridors Plan (by-law) and Biodiversity Policy - a legacy plan
- Draft Plan anticipated early 2027
- State of the Landscape Report and updates - engage.winnipeg.ca/greenspace-plan
- When approved and funded this bylaw will establish a framework for planning and land management that reflects the intrinsic, cultural, economic and ecological value of our natural assets.
Motion - Establishing Policies for the Protection of Waterways
Water and Waste Committee July 2 2026 Report due - Jan/Feb 2027
dmis.winnipeg.ca/ViewMeeting?documentId=29330
Winnipeg Climate Action Plan Update - June 2026
Include nature based solutions
Draft plan - 2027
engage.winnipeg.ca/winnipeg-climate-action-plan-update
City by-law rewrite - Lacks a green lens - Park land is a land use
The City of Winnipeg is updating its Zoning By‑laws for the first time in 20 years.
City of Winnipeg Survey was open until June 5 2026. https://engage.winnipeg.ca/zoning-rewritegreenspace_at_risk__home_page_may_25_2026.pdf
Proposed narrow property setbacks are harmful to waterways and tree preservation
Bird Friendly
City Council unanimously approved a weaker version of bird-friendly window guidelines- January 21, 2026
- This current bylaw only applies to new development along Malls and Corridors.
- In 2026 and 2027, when zoning bylaws are reviewed, a stronger version of this important measure will be recommended for the entire city.
OURS continues to urge the City of Winnipeg to initiate consultations for the development of planning documents and policy that preserve and enhance the natural amenities of Winnipeg. OURS-Winnipeg will continue to monitor developments pertaining to and will advocate for good stewardship of our valuable greenspace resources that belong to us all.
The City of Winnipeg needs to develop an urban vision by enacting a Master Plan for Greenspace that reflects the intrinsic cultural, economic and ecological value of our natural assets and that includes:
1. An Urban River Corridor Plan that includes all rivers and streams
2. An Urban Greenspace Plan
3. A Comprehensive Urban Forest Management Plan and a public and private tree bylaw
4. Accessible green space and natural areas for all
OURS-Winnipeg has consistently called for timely and meaningful public consultations involving a broad participation of citizens prior to any significant planning decisions being taken by the City of Winnipeg.
Alternative Municipal Budgets -
Are written during election years and are meant to stimulate discussion around some of the important concerns facing our city. OURS-Winnipeg has contributed to the past four budgets with a Greenspace Chapter.
2026 Winnipeg Alternative Municipal Budget, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Greenspace Chapter
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AMB-2026-5-Greenspace.pdf?x39519
2026 Full document www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/weaving-a-better-winnipeg-2026-alternative-municipal-budget/
2022 Winnipeg Alternative Municipal Budget, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Greenspace and Waterways Chapters
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/Manitoba%20Office/2022/05/7.%20Greenspace%20and%20Urban%20Forest.pdf
www.policyalternatives.ca/wp-content/uploads/attachments/18.%20Water.pdf
2018 Winnipeg Alternative Municipal Budget, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Greenspace Chapter
Winnipeg Alternative Municipal Budget, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
www.policyalternatives.ca/wp-content/uploads/attachments/Greenspace.pdf?x39519
2014 Winnipeg Alternative Municipal Budget, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Greenspace Plan
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/taking-back-the-city/
