Gillingham Commits to Enhance “Seine Riverway” as a Signature Natural Experience, Deep Within Our City
If re-elected as Mayor on October 28, Scott Gillingham is proposing to “save the Seine – once and for all” by creating a new Rivière-Seine Historic Municipal Riverway and establishing the Seine River corridor as a permanent recreational paddling and nature attraction. The Seine winds for almost thirty kilometers through St. Boniface and St. Vital.
Gillingham’s proposal would build on the work, recreation and vision of hundreds of volunteers and contributors who have helped protect natural spaces, build trails and create parks along the Seine over several decades.
“Securing the Seine corridor as a signature tourism and nature experience within City limits will also build momentum for ongoing intergovernmental work toward a National Urban Park in Winnipeg,” he said.
Speaking on a pedestrian bridge over the Seine at John Bruce Park, Gillingham listed several practical steps the City would need to take to protect the river as signature attraction, including removing natural and industrial obstacles to navigation and developing a service plan to keep the Riverway safe and clean.
“Volunteer groups like Save Our Seine have helped protect and enhance this natural Greenway,” Gillingham said. “What we can add in the next term of Council is a permanent City framework to enhance the river itself as a natural asset and support consistent, environmentally friendly access.”
As mayor, Gillingham supported the growth of the new Rendez-Vous Rivyayr Seine Paddle Festival over the last three years, hoping the festival would test the appeal of paddling the Seine as a formal natural attraction.
“Rendez-Vous has brought hundreds of paddlers in canoes and kayaks onto these waters while connecting people with Métis history and culture at nearby parks and landing points,” he said. “Their work is proof-of-concept that this river can bring joy to Winnipeg and visitors to this City for generations.”
Gillingham’s plan would start with a flexible working group, building toward a local Riverway Conservancy model of governance that would combine public services for parks along the corridor with formal relationships involving key Métis and volunteer organizations. Area elected officials from other governments would also be invited to participate directly in Riverway development.
“Standing here, surrounded by natural space and deep history in the middle of our city, you can appreciate the vision of so many community leaders that made this next step possible,” Gillingham said. “Now it’s our job to make that vision real, and permanent.”
Gillingham expects it will take up to four years to fully launch the Riverway as a consolidated and protected City natural and recreational corridor.
NEW POLICY AT A GLANCE
Rivière-Seine Historic Municipal Riverway
Immediate Action (Years 1–2)
Appoint a working group to formalize the Riverway concept and identify intergovernmental, legal and operational issues to resolve. ‘Riverway’ has been chosen as a provisional name to distinguish this expanded concept from the existing “Seine Greenway.”
Inventory and map all City-owned land along the Seine River corridor so it can be accessed and managed as a connected space, while preserving existing park names and other historic features.
Develop enhanced environmental protections and appropriate access rules for river-adjacent lands, in consultation with area residents.
Formalize the Rendez-Vous Rivyayr Seine Paddle Festival’s transit needs and other aspects of the festival through a recurring relationship with the City, celebrating the launch of the Seine’s annual paddle season.
Begin to take action on individual issues to make the River continuously navigable, adding dock/launch points and other features where appropriate.
Moving to Launch (Years 3–4)
Create a local Riverway Conservancy model through which the City would continue to own public and park lands along the existing Greenway and new Riverway, while entering into formal agreements with other organizations, including la Société Historique Métisse du Manitoba, l’Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba and Manitoba Métis Federation – National Government of the Red River Métis as historic partners, and Save Our Seine as a community partner, recognizing their roles in activating and protecting the Riverway.
Acting on behalf of the City, the Conservancy could engage other partners in agreements – including organizations such as The Forks and other non-profit or private entities – to support tourist, community, educational and low-income access to seasonal canoe, kayak and ice-trail experiences. The new organization would also work over the long term to activate Riverway spaces with signage, canoe and kayak launch infrastructure and programming, while recommending additional improvements as appropriate.
Other government projects, programs or lands could be incorporated into the Riverway, or vice versa, as Winnipeg’s National Urban Park initiative develops.
(Canadian) National Urban Park Initiative - Winnipeg
Lead City Council to formally support continued work toward a National Urban Park in Winnipeg as the federal process advances and a formal study area is identified.
Designate a special committee including all Councillors with ward territory within the forthcoming National Urban Park study area, to ensure elected officials have oversight over the City’s participation in the National Urban Park initiative.