City projecting annual deficit of nearly $19 million

The City of Winnipeg expects to end the year with an $18.9-million deficit for its tax-supported budget.

The early negative outlook is based on financial results up to March 31.

At this point, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service expects a shortfall of $6.5 million, primarily due to increased overtime. The planning, property and development department expects a $5.4-million shortfall, mostly due to lower-than-expected fee and service revenues.

Winnipeg Police Service is currently projected to fall $4.3-million short, as it expects to save only $800,000 of a $5.1-million council-imposed in-year savings target, at this point. In recent years, that gap has often narrowed in later months.

Another $6.5 million in overall city savings targets must still be found.

Meanwhile, the city expects to spend millions less on snow-clearing costs this year, due to low snowfall in the first few months of 2025, and find other savings to offset the losses.

In recent non-pandemic years, projected city deficits have become smaller later in the calendar.

Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter

Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.

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