State of the City Address

This afternoon nearly 1100 Winnipeggers strode into the Winnipeg Convention Centre to hear Mayor Sam Katz deliver his 7^th annual State of the City address. These attendees were people who are members of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, non-members, and the media. Everyone was well dressed in suits as they sat in anticipation to hear the mayor speak about his visions of Winnipeg in 2011.

I was sporting a grey tie with matching high heels.

The opening address was given by Judy Murphy, the chair for the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

While everyone ate their lunch, I had the pleasure of sitting next to CBC’s Mychaylo Prystupa. Prystupa was kind enough to share some of his experiences of the reporting world with me and one story of particular fascination and determination.

Upon graduating from Ryerson College in 2004, Prystupa knew he wanted to work at CBC. He also knew he would have to do something that would set him apart from the competition. He pitched a story to CBC National News about the number one reason for fatality in Africa, road side collisions. He traveled to Uganda, Africa with a fellow journalism colleague. Having previous video journalism experience, he was able to shoot and edit his own material before his return. This tangible experience gave Prystupa support to back up his skills as a reporter and was hired by CBC upon his return.

As the address began, I thanked Prystupa for telling me his story and began to listen in on the words of Mr. Katz.

 “In how many other cities can a bakers’ son born into a struggling immigrant family have an opportunity to grow up to be the Mayor of the same city that first welcomed his parents here to begin a new life.”

-Katz

This was a sure-fire segue to set the tone regarding opportunity and potential for growth in Winnipeg in the coming year.

He spoke of the Downtown Residential Development Grant and that it has been approved for $7 million for residential projects. This will bring a total number of 800 units to the downtown area.

 The heart of the city is a place where Katz says more people need to live and breathe in.

Katz spoke of the Nature and Adventure Playground and expanded duck pond at Assiniboine Park due to open this spring. He also conveyed that the toboggan hill and skating rink have become places that Winnipeggers now go to have outdoor winter fun.

Katz overall mission through the speech was to relay his love for Winnipeg, and the potential that lies within in the year ahead.

He ended his address with famous words from Bob the Builder, “Can we build it? Yes we can!”