A mayoral candidate in Winnipeg has pledged to establish long-term staffing targets for police officers and firefighters, aiming to improve the ratio of emergency responders to the city’s growing population. The proposal, if enacted, would gradually increase personnel to match 2016 per capita staffing levels over a period of five to 10 years.
Addressing Population Growth with Increased Staffing
Scott Gillingham, seeking re-election as mayor, highlighted the significant population increase in Winnipeg, noting that the city has grown by approximately 80,000 residents in the past four years. He stated his intention to propose a “thoughtful, methodical, strategic, long-term staffing plan” to ensure adequate resources for the expanding city. Election day is scheduled for October 28.
Under the proposed plan, Gillingham would ask city council to set new staffing targets next year. The goal is to reach a level of about 196 police officers per 100,000 population, an increase from the current approximate 170 officers per 100,000. Similarly, the target for firefighters would be around 120 per 100,000 residents, up from the current 112 per 100,000.
Based on Winnipeg’s current estimated population of 850,000, these targets would translate to an increase in the police force from roughly 1,443 officers to 1,666. The number of firefighters would rise from approximately 975 to 1,020. These figures are preliminary and may not account for specialized roles that might not require proportional increases based solely on population growth.
Gillingham emphasized that the implementation would be phased in gradually, ensuring affordability and sustainability. “That would be done over time, phased in over time, thoughtfully, methodically, at a rate that we could afford,” he explained.
Additional Resources for Emergency Services
Beyond police and fire services, Gillingham also committed to seeking provincial funding for eight additional ambulances and 120 more paramedics. This request aligns with long-standing needs identified by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS).
Support from Firefighter Union
The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg (UFFW) welcomed the mayoral candidate’s pledge. Nick Kasper, president of the UFFW, stated that the union has been advocating for years about staffing concerns and emergency response capacity not keeping pace with population growth and service demands. He views the election pledge as a significant acknowledgment of these challenges and a commitment to a measurable, long-term solution.
Other Mayoral Candidates’ Proposals
Other candidates in the mayoral race have also put forward proposals related to public safety and city services.
Don Woodstock’s Platform
Mayoral candidate Don Woodstock has proposed hiring 100 more firefighters and 50 additional paramedics within two years if elected. Woodstock argued that this expansion is crucial to reduce the reliance on overtime, which he described as “crushing, dangerous, endless overtime while the city burns.” He also indicated the need for provincial funding to support the paramedic hires. Woodstock’s platform includes plans for enhanced specialized equipment, improved mental health support for WFPS staff, and the construction of new fire-paramedic stations in rapidly developing areas like North McPhillips. He believes these measures could save the city approximately $10 million annually, the amount spent on WFPS overtime in recent years.
However, Kasper of the UFFW noted that the estimated annual cost of hiring 100 new firefighters is around $13.3 million, suggesting that a single year’s overtime savings might not fully cover the expense of such an expansion.
Tracey Drexler’s Focus on Transit Safety
Mayoral candidate Tracey Drexler has focused her platform on improvements to Winnipeg Transit. If elected, she plans to declare security an emergency and expedite the transition from partial to full driver safety shields. Drexler also intends to explore the addition of dedicated Transit police officers and “peaceful greeters.” She expressed concern for the safety of transit operators, stating, “Our Transit operators deserve to come home safe at the end of every day, but right now they’re working in fear.” The proposed greeters would assist with fare collection and monitoring, while Transit constables would handle security issues, including detentions and arrests. Drexler has not yet provided specific numbers for new positions or cost estimates for her transit proposals.
Kevin Klein’s Upcoming Announcements
Kevin Klein, a former city councillor who entered the mayoral race on September 3, plans to reveal his initial platform pledges later in the week. He stated that his campaign would proceed at full speed after his first announcement on Friday morning. Klein believes there is still ample time to present his vision for Winnipeg, emphasizing a commitment to “make change that makes sense.”
Election Nomination Period Opens
Wednesday also marked the commencement of the nomination period for the mayoral election. Candidates must gather signatures from at least 250 individuals on the voter’s list by 4:30 p.m. on the following Tuesday to appear on the election ballot. Chris Clacio was the first candidate to complete this process. Other registered mayoral candidates include Mike Vogiatzakis, Umar Hayat, Mazher Alam, Joshua Pagdato, Johnny Calderon, Noah Redden, Brad Gross, and Gagandeep Bawa. Zac Uminski, who had registered, withdrew his candidacy on Wednesday.
