What’s the Latest: Mayoral candidates pitch more policing as civic election nears in Winnipeg
Mayoral candidates in Winnipeg have pledged to increase policing and surveillance capabilities, including the use of drones, as the civic election approaches. The Winnipeg Police Service has not provided any immediate comment regarding these proposals.
The Winnipeg Police Service currently receives 27 per cent of the City of Winnipeg’s budget, amounting to $370 million from a total operating budget of $1.49 billion for 2026. Operating expenditures for policing across Canada are projected to reach $22 billion in 2024-25, reflecting a 12 per cent increase from the previous fiscal year.
Mayoral candidates in Winnipeg, including Kevin Klein and Scott Gillingham, have pledged to increase police numbers, with Klein stating, “We need police officers.” Experts warn that additional police presence will not address underlying social issues, and the Winnipeg Police Service has opted not to comment on the candidates’ proposals.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how the proposed increase in police officers and drone surveillance will address the ongoing social issues in Winnipeg.
Mayoral candidates support increased policing as Winnipeg civic election approaches
With the Winnipeg civic election approaching, mayoral candidates have pledged to bolster police presence and utilise drones for surveillance. However, experts warn that these measures may not effectively address the city’s underlying social issues. Toni De Guzman reports.
The Winnipeg Police Service represents 27 per cent of the City of Winnipeg’s budget, amounting to $370 million from a total operating budget of $1.49 billion. University of Winnipeg criminologist Kevin Walby noted the city’s spending per capita on policing exceeds $350, significantly higher than the average of $260-290 in comparable cities. “When we put this percentage of our money into policing… and we don’t see any reduction in any of those issues, you have to start to wonder why are we doing that?” Walby stated.
Statistics Canada reported that total operating expenditures for policing across Canada are projected to reach $22 billion in 2024-25, reflecting a 12 per cent increase since 2022-23. Notably, the Winnipeg police force is reportedly short by 100 officers in relation to the minimum required for its population. Mayoral candidate Kevin Klein emphasised this deficit during a discussion on 680 CJOB, declaring, “We need police officers, we do.”
Scott Gillingham, another candidate, echoed Klein’s sentiment, also expressing a commitment to increasing police personnel. Additionally, candidate Mike Vogiatzakis proposed the introduction of drones to enhance surveillance. “As mayor, I’m going to instruct the police board and the police chief… I’ll sit with them and decide how we’re gonna change the city,” Vogiatzakis stated at CBC Manitoba’s mayoral debate.
The Winnipeg Police Service has declined to provide comment on the candidates’ proposals.