Winnipeg mayoral candidate Chris Clacio says he would raise property taxes by 7.5 per cent in his first year in office if elected. Clacio, a grocery clerk, is one of 12 candidates vying to become the city’s next mayor in the Oct. 28 election. It is his second run. In 2022, he finished last among 11 candidates, receiving 451 votes or less than 0.25 per cent. In an interview with CTV News Winnipeg senior news anchor Maralee Caruso, Clacio said he would endorse the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ alternative municipal budget, which proposes the increase. He said it would apply for one year only. “I would raise property taxes,” Clacio said. “People will not be happy about that.” He argued the City of Winnipeg Charter limits the ways the city can raise money, and said there needs to be a broader conversation about fiscal policy. “I don’t think people understand that property taxes are the only way we can raise the revenue that we want,” he said. Clacio said he has also committed to discussing a land value tax, which taxes the value of the land rather than the property on it. Asked what he would say to residents struggling with the cost of living who want the city to tighten its belt, Clacio said residents need to pressure the province and Ottawa to support city finances. “We really need to advocate and push and actually have real conversations with other levels of government,” he said. Clacio is also proposing to make the mayor a non-voting member of council. He said the current setup is contradictory. “I believe the mayor’s role is to lead and bring consensus and let other councillors actually debate other councillors,” he said. He also wants community hosts instead of community safety officers. He described them as trained security guards who receive more than the 40 hours of training guards require, plus training in de-escalation and in connecting people with resources. Clacio also said he is committed to getting full protective shields installed for Winnipeg Transit drivers. He would also create an office of civic engagement which he said would give residents, nonprofits, and small business owners a direct way to offer input to city hall. He said 311 isn’t doing that job. “For me, 311 is a complaint box,” he said. Clacio said his 2022 run taught him persistence. He has said he plans to run for public office until 2030. “What I think I learned back then is you still have to keep on going,” he said. Election day is on Oct. 28. Clacio is one of 12 mayoral candidates CTV News will profile in sit-down interviews ahead of the Oct. 28 election. The full interview can be viewed online. With files from CTV News’ Maralee Caruso
