Kevin Klein Campaign Releases Recordings of Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Meeting with Academy Road Business Owners on Bus Stop Dispute

Winnipeg – The Kevin Klein for Mayor campaign is releasing recordings of conversations between Mayor Scott Gillingham’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Luc Lewandoski, and Academy Road business owners. The release is in response to public requests on social media from members of the Gillingham team for these recordings to be made available to the public.

The recordings capture an exchange between Mr. Lewandoski and the Academy Road business owners, including several female owned businesses, about Winnipeg Transit’s plan to install a bus stop directly in front of their businesses. That plan eliminates the limited on-street parking the shops rely on for direct curb-side access of deliveries and customer accessibility due to the absence of a rear public lane.

These are local retailers and female entrepreneurs raising legitimate concerns about losing curb-side access—especially heading into the holiday season— threatening their business’ viability. They sought help from City Hall. One of the owners is Laurel of Salt Boutique who has shown much courage by publicly sharing her experiences on CJOB.

Meetings with Mr. Lewandoski of the Mayor’s Office produced no meaningful response the businesses said they desperately needed, simply for their concerns to be heard, taken seriously, and reported back to the Mayor. The proposed bus stop placement was later only temporarily delayed for a year following strong public outcry. Mayor Gillingham has previously said to the media, when asked about this exchange said “He stands by his staff”.

“Winnipegger’s deserve to be respected and their voices heard when City Hall decisions affect their lives” said Kevin Klein. “These recordings show what happens when average people raise legitimate concerns with the Gillingham Administration. Basic respect from government officials towards any and all citizens should not be optional or conditional, its automatic.”

Klein has previously noted that he was the only councillor to vote against the Transit Master Plan, citing exactly these kinds of impacts on neighbourhoods and businesses. As Mayor, Klien has committed to restoring an independent city ombudsman so average people like the Academy Road businesses have a clear avenue to hold City officials accountable when citizens are ignored and dismissed. And Klein has committed to placing un-elected city officials subject to the Integrity commissioner.

Better days are ahead for Winnipeg with change that makes sense—starting with a City government that willingly listens to the people who create jobs and serve our neighbourhoods instead of dismissing their legitimate concerns.