City report recommends roads money for emergency fund

Winnipeg City Hall is pictured in an undated photo. (CTV News Winnipeg)

The City of Winnipeg could use surplus roads money to partially shore up the rainy day fund.

A report to the mayor’s executive policy committee recommends council approve an $18.4 million transfer to the fund.

The report said $15 million would be used from the accelerated regional street renewal program, the remaining $3.4 million would come from the rapid transit and Pembina Highway underpass project reserve.

The rainy-day fund, formally known as the Financial Stabilization Reserve, has a balance of $25.9 million as of the end of 2025, well short of the $85.1 million minimum city threshold.

If council approves this, the emergency fund would still be short.

The transfer of money requires two-thirds of council to sign off on the plan.

The report says this is a one-time measure that would not increase property taxes and would not impact infrastructure projects approved for last year or 2026.

The rainy-day fund was depleted during the COVID-19 pandemic.