The Forks North Portage Partnership
The Forks North Portage Partnership, a key stakeholder in the development of the downtown, is responsible for the ownership, management and continuing renewal of The Forks and North Portage sites.
Mission, Mandate, and Vision
The mission of The Forks North Portage Partnership is to act as a catalyst, encouraging activities for people in the downtown area through public and private partnerships, revitalization strategies; and to work to ensure financial self-sufficiency:
North Portage
The North Portage neighbourhood shall be a centre of commerce, culture and living, integrated to form a diverse downtown community through a mixture of public uses including: residential, commercial and institutional, recreational, educational and entertainment facilities.
The Forks
The Forks shall be developed as a 'Meeting Place,' a special and distinct, all-season gathering and recreational place at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, through a mixed-use approach including recreational, historical and cultural, residential, and institutional and supportive commercial uses.
The business of the Partnership is to provide as many reasons as possible for people 'to live, work and play in the downtown.' As more people live, work, or play downtown, more services and entertainment will be developed to serve them. Vitality at The Forks and North Portage is the result of a diverse mix of facilities and activities that reinforce one another, all bringing people into the downtown.
Governance & Management
North Portage Development Corporation (NPDC) was incorporated on December 13, 1983, under the laws of Manitoba as a community development corporation and commenced operations on that date. The objective of the Corporation is to provide a mechanism for implementing the redevelopment of the North Portage area through a combination of investments by the Corporation, the private sector, institutions and governments. The Corporation is owned equally by the following shareholders: Federal Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and the City of Winnipeg.
The Forks Renewal Corporation (FRC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of NPDC. FRC was incorporated on July 24, 1987 under the laws of Manitoba and commenced operations July 29, 1987. The objective of the Corporation is to provide a mechanism for implementing the redevelopment of the former CN East Yards area through a combination of investments by the Corporation, the private sector, institutions, and governments.
The operations of the two Corporations were merged in 1994 to form The Forks North Portage Partnership. The Partnership is governed by a ten-member Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Rennie Zegalski (he/him)
Chair
Rennie is a founding partner in commercial real estate brokerage firm Capital Commercial Real Estate Services and Capital Property Management. He brings over twenty years of expertise in the Canadian commercial real estate market and is well connected to the business community, serving on the boards of CentreVenture, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada (Vice Chair), West End BIZ (Past-Chair), and the Winnipeg Santa Parade Committee (Chair).
He is also past chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Manitoba, past chair of the Winnipeg Convention Centre and past-president of the University of Manitoba Alumni Association
Rhonda Forgues
Board Member
Rhonda Forgues is a proud Métis woman from Winnipeg with a diverse background in government, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and self-employment. She owns Spirited Ways Consulting, which supports non-Indigenous businesses and organizations on their reconciliation journey by providing advice, guidance, planning, and implementation support. Rhonda has also served as the Interim CEO of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, where she revitalized the organization's events, membership base, communications, financial and staff resources, and day-to-day operations.
Previously, Rhonda led the City of Winnipeg's Journey of Reconciliation for over 13 years, implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the MMIWG Calls for Justice, the Indigenous Accord, the Indigenous Youth Strategy, Welcoming Winnipeg, and various projects to Indigenize City Hall. She has also worked with Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, the Intergovernmental Affairs Department with the Province of Manitoba, and SEED Winnipeg.
Rhonda's education includes a Masters in Municipal Leadership, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Credit Union board training, CANDO certification, and extensive training in community development. She has also been involved in several boards and committees, including the Manitoba Community Services Council, Assiniboine Credit Union, Winnipeg Chamber’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, City of Winnipeg’s Social Procurement Advisory Committee, and CME’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.
Jenny Gerbasi
Board Member
Jenny Gerbasi was an member of Winnipeg City Council for 20 years from 1998 to 2018. She served on the board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for 10 years including a term as elected President. Jenny graduated from the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Nursing in 1986, receiving the University Gold Medal, and worked as a Community Health Nurse for 11 years. She has served on the RBC Convention Centre Board and the Winnipeg Folk Festival Board. She is an active volunteer with Winnipeg Harvest, the WRHA and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Scott Kitching
Board Member
Biography coming soon.
Ginette Lavack
Board Member
Ginette Lavack is the CEO of the Centre culturel franco-manitobain. She has more than 12 years of experience in senior management of non-profit organizations in the arts and culture sector and more than 30 years in the hospitality and event industry. Prior to joining CCFM, she was the Executive Director of the Festival du Voyageur, Communications Advisor for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Manager, Sports and Special Events at Tourism Winnipeg Inc. from 2001 to 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and a degree in Public Relations from the University of Winnipeg.
Ginette was a member of the organizing committee for the 103rd Grey Cup held in Winnipeg in 2015. She also participated on the host committees for the 2007 World Women's Hockey Championship, the 2006 Grey Cup and the 2005 Juno Awards. She volunteers on numerous boards and committees including Travel Manitoba, Manitobans for the Arts, and le Réseau des Grands Espaces.
Claudette Leclerc
Board Member
Claudette is a passionate advocate for arts, culture, and heritage in Canada. Prior to her retirement in 2020, she served as Executive Director and CEO of The Manitoba Museum for 23 years and several community-based, cultural, non-profit organizations over a thirty-eight-year career. Her professional expertise includes governance, financial and project management, fundraising, tourism marketing, government and community relations, capital, and strategic planning.
She has served on numerous regional and national boards throughout her career, including the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Travel Manitoba, and the Canadian Museums Association. She now does consulting and mentorship when not busy enjoying life at the cottage or travelling.
In 2015, Claudette was named a Fellow of the Canadian Museums Association (FCMA) and in 2021, she was inducted to the Order of Manitoba (OM). Claudette was proud to be part of the team that hosted the very first event at The Forks, newly established in 1990, when the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival relocated from Kildonan Park to The Forks.
Conor Lloyd, CD, APR (he/him)
Board Member
Conor Lloyd is a member of the RRC Polytech's Senior Leadership Team and serves as the institution's Director of College and Public Relations. Conor joined Red River College Polytechnic in 2013 and has helped grow RRC Polytech's external and internal relations portfolio. Conor provides strategic advice and guidance on communications, public relations, government relations, and internal and external relations. Conor is heavily involved in the community working with the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers, Canadian Public Relations Society, and has previously served on boards for organizations that celebrate Manitoba’s rich culture and history.
Conor is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and is a graduate of Red River College from the Creative Communications Program. Conor is a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Outside of work, Conor and his wife are busy raising their daughter.
Daniel Lussier
Board Member
Appointed in 2007, Daniel Lussier is CEO of the Catholic Health Corporation of Manitoba (CHCM). CHCM was created by the Grey Nuns in 2000 and sponsors 15 health and human service agencies providing compassionate care and support to Manitobans. CHCM’s mission is to empower people and foster solutions to prevent and alleviate suffering where the needs are greatest. CHCM works in community to make strategic investments and to provide support to new and innovative projects that are responding to emerging and pressing needs.
Prior to joining CHCM, Daniel served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Executive Assistant to the late Hon. Ron Duhamel who served as Federal Minister of several portfolios including Western Economic Diversification; Chief of Staff for Glen Murray, Mayor of the City of Winnipeg; and Executive Director of Festival du Voyageur.
Daniel has received his ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, is a Fellow of the Community Shift Executive Development Program at the Ivey School of Business and has sat on many community boards. Currently he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine, Chair of Investissement Immobilier CCSM and ex-officio Director of St. Boniface Hospital.
Christian Robin
Board Member
Born and raised in Saint-Boniface near the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, Christian Robin is a proud franco-Manitoban Métis with an eclectic academic and professional background in business, marketing, law, and tourism and leisure. An intrapreneur working as the Director of Marketing and Web Presence for the innovative RRC Polytech, Christian leads a team of professionals in marketing one of Manitoba’s most valued brands to multiple audiences throughout the province and around the globe. In his spare time, Christian chooses to contribute to the community by serving on numerous boards, including the Riding Mountain National Park’s Clear Lake Cabin Owners’ Association (President), the Canadian Colleges & Institutes MarCom Leaders Guild (Co-Founder and Co-Chair), and the National Film Board of Canada (Trustee), just to name a few.
Christian is known for his bold ideas, strategic thinking, and sense of humour and charisma. His initiatives and leadership have resulted in numerous awards and distinctions, including Winnipeg’s famed entry into the Guiness Book of World Records for the world’s longest frozen river trail (much to the chagrin of the City of Ottawa).
Natalie Thiesen
Board Member
Natalie Thiesen is the Vice President of Tourism at Economic Development Winnipeg, where she leads the Tourism Winnipeg team. Her focus areas include driving leisure visitation, attracting business events, and sports and special events by developing and maintaining strategic partnerships to boost Winnipeg's tourism sector.
Holding a Master of Arts in Tourism Management from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University, Natalie previously lent her expertise as the past President of the Festival du Voyageur Inc. board. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Destination Canada.
Sara Stasiuk
CEO
Core Business & Activities
The Partnership is involved in certain business and core activities regarding the ownership, development and management of its two sites that include land investment properties and public amenities. The business components have, for the most part, evolved out of the original plans for both sites with certain projects maintained in the portfolio awaiting the future of potential development. The public amenities and services offered by The Partnership and its partners complement the revenue-generating endeavours and form an integral part of the ongoing activities.
The Partnership currently operates the following commercial activities:
Office
- Union Station, 130-123 Main St.
Parking Facilities
- Portage Place parkade, 393 Portage Avenue
- Investors Syndicate parkade, 447 Portage Avenue
- Place Promenade parkade, P2 level, 400 Webb Place
- Surface parking at The Forks
- The Forks parkade
Retail & Historic
- The Forks Market
Leased Property (lands owned by The Partnership, developments owned and operated by others):
- North Portage
- Portage Place Shopping Centre
- Kiwanis Chateau Seniors' Residence
- Fred Douglas Seniors' Residence
- Place Promenade apartment complex
- ISM computer facility
- YM/YWCA
- The Forks Site Tenants
- Manitoba Theatre for Young People
- CityTV Studio Facility
- Travel Manitoba
- The Forks National Historic Site
- Johnston Terminal Office and Retail Complex
- The Inn at the Forks
- Children's Museum (Kinsmen Building)
- The Canadian Museum For Human Rights
The Partnership has developed public amenities and external relationships and, in many cases, maintains to enhance the viability and public usage of its sites and the downtown and surrounding neighbourhood.
Public Amenities and Services:
- Broadway Promenade
- Historic Rail Bridge
- CN Stage + Field
- The Forks Market Plaza
- The Forks Market Tower
- The Forks Historic Port
- The Riverwalk
- Oodena Celebration Circle
- Peace Meeting Site
- Public Art
- The Plaza at The Forks
- Niizhoziibean (formerly South Point)
- The Balance of the Spirit Within
- The Forks Prairie Garden
- The Gathering Space (wiigiwam)
- The Wall Through Time
- The South Point Douglas bikeway
Programming, Festivals, and Special Events:
- Winnipeg 150 Winter Park
- Canada Day
- New Year’s Celebration
- The Nestaweya River Trail presented by The Winnipeg Foundation
- Warming Huts: An Art and Architecture Competition on Ice
Planning & Development
Ten Year Plan
The Board of Directors of The Forks North Portage Partnership prepared a vision to guide future enhancements over a ten year period at North Portage and The Forks.
A Public Consultation Program, culminating with a series of open houses, had been established to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about and express their views regarding the vision for these sites.
View our Concept and Financial Plan at connecting2030.theforks.com.
The culmination of that public consultation process was the development of our Ten Year Concept and Financial Plan. The Partnership completed its last plan and has revealed its current plan Connecting 2020-2030.
Go to the Waterfront
The Forks and City of Winnipeg, with the financial support of the Province of Manitoba, have collaborated to develop a 20 year vision for Winnipeg’s riverfront lands extending beyond The Forks.
Go to the Waterfront is the result of the planning initiative which included a series of neighbourhood workshops to develop the vision.
As a river city and a winter city this 20 year vision document identifies strategic locations and potential projects near and along riverfront lands that could transform our city. Click here to view Go to the Waterfront.
The Forks Placemaking Guidelines
Creating a meeting place has been central to the mission and vision for The Forks since its inception. For more than 35 years, that vision has been brought to life through various developments and initiatives, all of which have been grounded in an unwavering dedication to inclusive placemaking.
The purpose of The Forks Placemaking Guidelines, developed in 2023, is to provide The Forks' Design Review Panel with a framework to evaluate proposed developments and major site enhancements.
Click here to view the full Placemaking Guidelines.
Public Consultation
As part of our regular operating procedures, The Partnership seeks public opinion and discussion on projects undertaken. Past examples have included The Skateboard Plaza at The Forks, The Inn at the Forks, our 10-year plan Railside and parcel 4 lands and many others.
View our latest 10-year Concept and Financial Plan at connecting2030.theforks.com.
For more information on Railside and Parcel Four please visit railsideattheforks.com.
Annual Reports & Financial Statements
Subsidiary financial statements of North Portage Development Corporation are available upon request.
Annual Reports
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Annual Report - 2005
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Annual Report - 2006
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Annual Report - 2007
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Annual Report - 2008
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Annual Report - 2009
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Annual Report - 2010
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Annual Report - 2011
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Annual Report - 2012
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Annual Report - 2013
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Annual Report - 2014
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Annual Report - 2015
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Annual Report - 2016
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Annual Report - 2017
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Annual Report - 2018
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Annual Report - 2019
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Annual Report - 2020
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Annual Report - 2021
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Annual Report - 2024
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Financial Statements
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2006
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2007
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2008
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2010
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2011
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2012
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2013
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2014
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2015
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2016
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2017
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2018
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2019
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2020
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2021
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2022
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2023
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Consolidated Financial Statements - 2024
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