Website: votemichaelthompson.blog
Email: votemichaelt@shaw.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Votemichaelt
Twitter: @VoteMichaelT
Quote from candidate’s website related to cycling and active transportation (accessed Sept 2018):
“Active transportation is essential for our city. It promotes healthy living and creates the types of communities that we want for our children. I therefore support projects such as the new Osborne/Downtown active transportation bridge, creation of additional designated bike lanes which connect to those already in existence and the expansion of our river trails to connect the various communities within our city. Initiatives such as these demonstrate that we are a future focused city that values health and wellness and believes in decreasing our carbon footprint”
From Vote Winnipeg 2018 (Winnipeg Free Press) accessed 2 Oct 2018:
Q: “What should Winnipeg’s plan be for the future of public and active transit?”
A: “Public transportation is a need, not a want, for thousands of people who are trying to commute to work and to school on a daily basis. People are depending upon this service in order to accomplish what they need to get done in their daily lives. People therefore want a transit service that is efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly and above all, one in which they feel they can safely use.
My vision for the future of our transit system is one that is safe for drivers and riders and one that meets the needs of the people in the communities they live and work within. This includes increased service frequency, short hub routes, increased budget for more hours and total routes, modified service times prior to and after major events in the city, increased safety for public and drivers, improved technology for fares and transit rider software applications, overall affordability as well as availability of washrooms for transit staff.
Active transit should be the links to the major public transit system. People need options for reaching major public transportation hubs that are close, simple and affordable. Those paths need to outline and prioritized so major sidewalks or bike paths are completed first. If elected, I would make that a priority for our ward.”
Q: “What is your position on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians?”
“I am opposed to opening Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic. Opening up Portage and Main would create massive traffic problems and wreak havoc on transit schedules. There is also the cost involved in opening up the intersection. I believe that any accessibility issues underground can be adequately addressed without opening-up Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic.”
The candidate completed the 2018 all-candidate environmental survey: A coalition of Winnipeg Environmental Organizations compiled questions for an all-candidate (Mayoral and Councilor) survey with questions relating to the environment, including AT.