Winnipeg declared a state of local emergency and waived tax penalties for up to three months amid the coronavirus pandemic at an emergency city council vote Friday.
The declaration of a local emergency gives the city sweeping, additional powers meant to prevent the loss of life within the city and protect essential services.
The powers include allowing the city to prohibit movement on city roads and giving it the ability to evacuate people and prohibit their movement from designated areas, according to the province’s emergency measures act.
Council also waived 2020 business and property tax penalties, which Mayor Brian Bowman has described as a means of easing the financial burden on Winnipeg taxpayers. [ Sign up for our Health IQ