With the municipal election just over a month away, mayoral candidates are starting to unveil their campaign promises to the residents of Winnipeg. Below are some details of the promises that were shared on the campaign trail on Sept. 18. Kevin Klein The former Winnipeg councillor and PC MLA announced Friday he wants to make Winnipeg the safest city in Canada. Klein said this would be possible with a four-year public safety plan that would include a safety task force led by Devon Clunis, the former chief of Winnipeg police. “As mayor, I will make sure our police have the resources they need to do their jobs and that residents can count on a response when they call for help,” Klein said in a news release. Klein would also work to install panic buttons that connect directly to police dispatch on all buses within two years, increase the police presence in Winnipeg neighbourhoods and take strong action on criminal activity. “No more accepting crime as the status quo. Winnipeg needs a serious plan, clear objectives and the determination to execute it. This is about our families, our seniors, our businesses and every Winnipegger who wants to feel safe in their own neighbourhood.” Scott Gillingham Scott Gillingham also has his sights set on increased safety, specifically on transit buses. If he were to remain mayor, Gillingham said he would work to grow the transit safety officer team to 75 safety officers and support staff. He said the officers would work alongside the police service’s targeted enforcement of Winnipeg Transit. “Police need to be there to deal with serious criminal activity. But many of the incidents happening every day on buses, at stops and in shelters involve medical emergencies, intoxication, mental-health concerns, disputes, fare enforcement or people simply need help. That’s why we created the CSO program,” Gillingham said in a news release. There are currently 33 safety officers with the program set to expand to 39 in 2027. Mike Vogiatzakis Another safety initiative is being promised by Mike Vogiatzakis. He wants to create an apprentice program for police, firefighters and paramedics known as the Winnipeg Public Safety Apprenticeship Program. The program would provide training for three years. There would be 30 spots open, with 10 designated for each profession. “This is not a short-term job program; it’s a three-year path to a public safety career,” said Vogiatzakis. “Apprentices will be paid while they train, learn from experienced professionals, and gain supervised work experience.” He notes these apprentices could also help take pressure off first responders by responding to low emergency calls. Vogiatzakis used the example of responding to a senior who had fallen, broken their hip and was unable to get up. “We could send a second-year apprenticeship student or cadet to a scene to assess that gentleman, to take his vitals, to comfort him and then possibly transfer him to a hospital.” He said he would cap funding for the program at $2.2 million for the first year and money would come from existing training budgets.
