Vision Winnipeg
Polling done for The Chamber by Probe Research revealed that close to 60 per cent of Winnipeggers believe we do not have a clear vision for our city to guide decision-making and inspire us.
As part of The Chamber's three-year strategic plan (2008-2011), we have set out to consult with Winnipeggers and help develop a vision for our city that will bring clarity to our direction and will help define our place in the world.
In creating a vision for Winnipeg, there is no blueprint that can be drawn upon from other jurisdictions. Every city’s vision and future opportunities will differ based on each city’s strengths and potential.
In Year One of Vision Winnipeg, more than 400 Winnipeggers of all ages, demographics, cultures and sectors were invited to take part in the consultation process and to provide input.
Leadership Winnipeg’s class of 2009 hosted community consultations with an emphasis on five themes: downtown Winnipeg, the arts and cultural community, creating a sustainable city, economic opportunities and Winnipeg as a Human Rights City.
Several common threads emerged.
We see ourselves as a big small town, where everyone seems to be connected, where partnerships occur easily and where collaboration and integration are the norm for getting things done. There is accessibility to whatever is needed - people with talent and skill, capital for economic development, effective transportation and an army of volunteers … the list goes on and on.
We see our city as a friendly, welcoming place with a rich history. Whoever you are, you will find a connection. The diversity of both the local economy and the population has created unique opportunities in a city of unique location - our city really is the “heart” of North America in so many ways. Creativity and innovation are dominant forces here. It’s a great place to try things and to have new ideas. There is a culture of innovation. Calculated risk-taking is supported and encouraged. It has been a city of firsts and it is still a city of potential. When asked why it is the best place in Canada to live, one answer towers above all others: it’s the people who make the difference.
The Leadership Winnipeg class of 2010 focused on our people, and in particular, our cultural/ethnic communities. Through one-on-one meetings and group consultations, the class explored the opportunities, challenges and strengths presented by five of our larger cultural communities – Aboriginal, African, Filipino, francophone and Indo-Canadian - and how that plays into an overall vision for our city.
The key was as much the process as the end product. Combined with the findings from Years One and Two, we will continue to reach out into the community to determine what Winnipeg could look like 20 years from now.