Is Winnipeg Mayor Gillingham Misleading You on Taxes, Fees, and Garbage Costs

Let’s be clear: facts matter. When the City of Winnipeg sends out property tax bills claiming we have the lowest property taxes, lowest new housing fees, and lowest garbage and recycling costs in Canada, that’s not just a stretch—it’s taxpayer-funded messaging that doesn’t tell the full story. The City of Winnipeg failed to cite sources for these bold claims, raising questions about their credibility. These claims were promoted by Mayor Scott Gillingham, including on his X account and city materials, suggesting Winnipeg residents are getting a bargain. But the numbers tell a different story. This isn’t just spin—it’s misleading. And you’re footing the bill for the glossy mailers pushing it.

Let’s go one by one.

Strike One: Property Taxes

On May 8, 2025, Mayor Scott Gillingham posted on X and printed on residents’ tax bills that Winnipeg has “the lowest property taxes among major cities in Canada.” That’s not entirely accurate. The claim has some basis: Winnipeg ranks competitively for a specific type of home, but it’s not the lowest, and that nuance matters.

Here are the facts. Winnipeg’s nominal residential property tax rate is 2.6742%—the highest among the cities compared. But that rate applies only to 45% of a home’s assessed value in Manitoba, thanks to the province’s portioned assessment model. For a home worth $359,200—Winnipeg’s average, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (December 2024)—the portioned value is $161,640. That brings the base municipal tax to $4,323.84. Then, subtract Manitoba’s $1,500 Education Property Tax Credit, which applies to principal residences, and the total net property tax bill is $2,823.84. On a $359,200 home, that’s an effective tax burden of 0.786%.

Let’s compare:

• Vancouver has a combined municipal and provincial rate of 0.296818%, yielding a tax of $1,066.10 on a $359,200 home.

  
  

• Toronto’s total rate is 0.61477%, resulting in $2,207.82—no homeowner credit applies.

  
  

• Calgary, using a projected 2024-25 rate of 0.70844%, yields a tax of $2,543.74.

  
  

• Saskatoon, using the most recent available rate (0.865562%), generates $3,109.94.

  
  

• Regina, at 1.07445%, results in a bill of $3,857.57.

Winnipeg, at 0.786%, lands between Calgary and Toronto—more affordable than Regina and Saskatoon, but higher than Vancouver and Toronto.

This is where the claim breaks down. Yes, Winnipeg is more affordable than Regina and Saskatoon—thanks entirely to the $1,500 tax credit, which no other city in the comparison offers. But it is not the lowest, and it doesn’t beat Vancouver or Toronto on a standardized home value. For example, Vancouver’s tax on a $359,200 home is just $1,066, compared to Winnipeg’s $2,823.84. While Winnipeg’s taxes are lower than Vancouver’s on a typical $2.2 million home ($6,557), the city’s claim ignores this context, overstating its affordability.

The mayor didn’t say: “We’re more affordable than Regina and Saskatoon for a $359,200 home, thanks to a provincial tax credit.” He said: “Winnipeg has the lowest property taxes among major cities.” That’s not fully true. It ignores that Winnipeg’s headline rate is the highest in Canada and that its competitiveness comes from a provincial subsidy, not municipal savings.

So when residents opened their property tax bill this month and saw that bold declaration on official City of Winnipeg material, they didn’t get the full picture. They got messaging designed to soften the blow of a 5.95% property tax hike—and they paid for its printing. Winnipeg is affordable in some respects, but it does not have the lowest property taxes.

That’s strike one.

Strike Two: Development Fees

Mayor Gillingham reportedly claims Winnipeg has “the lowest fees on new housing among major Canadian cities.” That’s likely inaccurate, based on available evidence. In reality, Winnipeg has only introduced temporary waivers on some development fees for downtown construction, not city-wide. For example, a 2023 city report noted these waivers aim to boost housing but don’t reduce costs elsewhere. Historical data from 2016 showed Winnipeg’s fees were above average, and developers pushed back against increases they said undercut affordability.

A 2022 CMHC report suggested Winnipeg’s development charges were in the middle to upper tier. Cities like Quebec City or Halifax, with lower land costs and simpler regulations, likely have lower fees, though direct comparisons are limited. Without clearer data, the city’s claim lacks support.

That’s strike two.

Strike Three: Garbage and Recycling Fees

This claim is the hardest to defend. Starting April 2025, Winnipeg introduced a new Waste Management Fee of $254 per year for single-family homes—up from $93, a 173% increase. That’s scheduled to increase to $266 in 2026 and $274 by 2027. Compare that to other cities:

• Toronto: A homeowner with a small bin pays $153.17 annually—$100 less than Winnipeg.

  
  

• Edmonton: Waste fees vary, but free eco-stations and community programs often lower costs for residents.

  
  

• Ottawa: Waste services, including organics and recycling, are largely funded through taxes, avoiding high direct fees.

  
  

• Winnipeg’s fee is among the highest, and unlike many cities, it doesn’t offer full city-wide organics collection, limiting service value.

  
  

That’s strike three.

So, What’s Really Going On?

The City of Winnipeg is promoting an affordability narrative that doesn’t hold up:

1. Property taxes are claimed as “lowest,” despite ranking third for a typical home.

   
   

2. Rising development fees? Highlighted by selective downtown waivers, not city-wide savings.

   
   

3. New utility surcharges framed as affordable, even as garbage fees nearly triple.

   
   

This pattern of overstated claims, printed on your tax bill, comes at a cost—literally. In a year with a 5.95% property tax hike and new $254 waste fees, taxpayers deserve transparency, not marketing. City Hall is spending your money to promote claims that aren’t fully accurate. That should concern everyone, regardless of politics. The evidence is clear:

1. Winnipeg’s effective property tax rate is competitive but not the lowest.

   
   

2. Development fees are likely mid-to-high, not the lowest.

   
   

3. Garbage and recycling fees are among the highest, with less service than in other cities.

Winnipeggers deserve better. The city must back its claims with data and prioritize honest communication over glossy campaigns. It’s time to put facts first—and your tax dollars to better use.