Winnipeg Minute: Issue 103

Winnipeg Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Winnipeg politics

📅 This Week In Winnipeg: 📅

• Winnipeg is still short of meeting the housing targets tied to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, with less than a year left before the December 5th, 2026 deadline. Since December 2023, the City has approved building permits for 11,441 of the 14,101 units required, representing about 81% of the goal. Most approvals have been multi-family units, with the City still roughly 31% short on units near frequent or rapid transit routes, though “missing middle” housing like duplexes and small apartment buildings has already exceeded its target. Property and development Committee Chair Councillor Evan Duncan expressed confidence the City can meet the targets, emphasizing efforts to streamline approvals and attract developers. 
  
  
• A new coalition of seven unions, called Workers for Downtown Public Safety, has formed in Winnipeg to push for stronger protections for workers and the public in the city’s downtown. Representing tens of thousands of workers in transit, emergency services, retail, and community programs, the coalition includes the Amalgamated Transit Union, CUPE, Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, and United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg. They are developing a five-point plan, focused on expanding mental health and addiction supports and improving worker safety, and hope to meet with Mayor Scott Gillingham and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe in the coming weeks. Minister Wiebe has already set up a meeting with the coalition and highlighted provincial initiatives like the 12-officer bail compliance unit and ongoing Downtown Community Safety Partnership funding. Mayor Gillingham’s office said his door is always open for discussions about worker safety, noting the city’s community safety team and senior adviser on public safety as key initiatives. 
  
  
• An audit report in Winnipeg found that two City employees were fired and four others suspended in 2025 following investigations into “time theft,” after allegations were submitted through the City’s anonymous fraud and waste hotline. The complaints accused some staff of spending paid work hours on non-work activities, though officials declined to disclose departments or details due to privacy and human resources rules. The hotline received 61 reports and 99 allegations last year, covering issues such as theft, unethical conduct, and policy violations. In addition to the terminations and suspensions, one employee received a written reprimand over social media use, while others were given guidance regarding punctuality and attendance. City Councillors said the hotline helps ensure accountability within the roughly 10,000-person workforce, while emphasizing that most municipal employees are hard-working and that such cases are relatively rare. 
  
  
• A 15-week policing initiative targeting crime on Winnipeg buses led to notable reductions in incidents, according to City officials. Between September 17th and December 31st, 2025, violent crime on transit fell by 18% and property crime dropped by 15% compared to the same period in 2024, with overall criminal incidents decreasing by 15%. The pilot project focused on high-visibility policing, with officers spending time riding buses, patrolling transit corridors, and monitoring bus stops, resulting in 12 arrests and nearly 100 fare-evasion enforcement actions. While police say the early results exceeded expectations, officials noted that creating a permanent dedicated transit police unit would depend on available resources, which are already stretched. Mayor Scott Gillingham said some officers will continue riding buses alongside community safety officers, while transit union leaders argue sustained support is needed to address ongoing safety concerns for drivers and passengers. The pilot was launched after violent incidents on Winnipeg transit reached a record 325 cases in 2024.
  
  
• The Manitoba government is inviting public feedback on a proposal to turn Lemay Forest in Winnipeg’s St. Norbert neighbourhood into a provincial park. The roughly 22.5-acre area is known for its natural environment and cultural significance, including ties to Indigenous traditions, and the province says protecting it would support broader goals of conserving natural spaces and reducing emissions by 2030. Officials have created a steering committee made up of community members, rights holders, and stakeholders to help develop a park proposal before any final decision is made. Residents will have the opportunity to learn more and share their views at a public open house scheduled for March 19th at the St. Norbert Community Centre. The event will run during two time slots, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and again from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Feedback gathered during the consultation process will help shape the future plan for the proposed provincial park.

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