Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba

Imagine a Winnipeg: 2018 Alternative Municipal Budget outlined options for revenue generation for the City of Winnipeg. One option requiring more research is a commuter fee, or a fee charged to ex-urban residents commuting to Winnipeg. More research is needed to develop this concept and options for how it could apply in Winnipeg.

Goals: to document the current literature on commuter fees, how they are delivered and any evaluation of these types of fees. Based on interviews with key stakeholders in Winnipeg, develop options for how a commuter fee could be implemented in the City of Winnipeg.

Tasks:

• Summarize existing research on commuter fees around the world, with a particular focus on municipalities similar to Winnipeg
• Analyze the City of Winnipeg Charter Act and related documents to outline the potential of Winnipeg enacting a commuter fee.  
• Interview four key stakeholders regarding a commuter fee to understand the challenges and opportunities with such a fee.
• Document this in a final report for peer review and potential publication.
• Draft at two-page summary of findings
• Draft a briefing note for government decision makers

Skills

• Secondary literature review skills
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed
• Knowledge of public policy, urban planning and public finance

Supervision

• Supervised by CCPA MB director and advised Ian Hudson, University of Manitoba faculty of Economics

Level of education

• Graduate student or senior undergraduate student in Urban Planning, Economics, Political Science, Environmental Studies or Sociology.

Priority will be given to applicants who identify as Indigenous, with a disability or from a visible minority. Funding for this position is being sought from Canada Summer Jobs, which requires applicants to be 18 – 30 years of age. Due to new criteria, applicants are not required to be returning to school full time.

Wage: $18/ hour for 8 weeks at 35 hours/ week. Start date mid May.

Please send a resume or CV and cover letter to ccpamb at policyalternatives.ca with “Commuter Fee Summer Researcher” in the subject heading. Applications due Monday May 6th, 2019.

CCPA seeks to achieve employment equity. If you identify as First Nations, Métis, Indigenous, racialized, and/ or a person with a disability, you are encouraged to indicate this in your cover letter.

Thank you to all who apply, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.