Winnipeg's garbage fees rising significantly this April

Winnipeg residents will face a significant increase in garbage fees this year. Starting April 1, the city's new solid waste utility fee will raise the cost of garbage collection from $93 to $190 for homeowners. City officials were looking for ways to ease this increase but ultimately decided against it. Mayor Scott Gillingham explained that attempts to stretch the fee increase over several years would not save much money. Instead, the city would have to take on debt, leading to higher interest charges. This means that homeowners might end up paying even more in future years. In addition to the garbage fee hike, residents will also see increases in other costs. Property taxes are going up by 5.95%, adding about $121 to the average homeowner's bill. Water and sewer bills will increase by approximately $168. Overall, the city portion of property taxes will rise by an average of $386 in 2025. School divisions will also receive increased funding through property taxes. Some of these increases are as high as 18.4%. There are concerns that the increases may confuse homeowners, as some factors affecting tax bills are determined by the province. City councillors acknowledged the growing frustration among residents. Many have expressed confusion regarding these rising costs. Some school officials have challenged the city's figures, saying they do not accurately reflect the average increase homeowners will face. City officials plan to communicate the tax breakdown clearly to residents. There is also a suggestion to look into adjusting fees based on household income to make them more manageable for families. The final approval for these increases is still pending from the city council.