Winnipeg expanding needle cleanup program

The city’s public works department says thousands of needles have been removed from downtown areas thanks to a two-person crew.

The City of Winnipeg is expanding a program that sees needles cleaned up from local parks.

On Thursday, city council approved a motion requesting a five-month expansion of the “Proactive Cleanup of Needle Debris and Weapons in City Parks” initiative.

“It is about an expansion of what we’re already doing, to go further, to make sure more parks are included, more public spaces are included,” the mayor said at a news conference on Thursday.

“So we’re maintaining those spaces and making sure there’s not needles or debris there.”

The motion suggests expanding the program beyond city parks to include bus stops, transit shelters, sidewalks, riverbank walkways, skywalks, pedestrian corridors and other public spaces that experience persistent issues related to discarded needles, drug paraphernalia and biohazards.

The report also recommends expanded coordination with relevant civic departments, city councillors and outreach agencies.

The motion goes on to propose that up to $206,250 of the funding approved for N’Dinawemak’s 24/7 Safe Space program be re-budgeted for this expansion. It notes that in 2024, council approved $275,000 for this safe space initiative and that over $206,000 hasn’t been spent.

“We need to make sure that public spaces are available to the public,” Gillingham said.

“That families should not have to be concerned about needles in their parks and their playgrounds for their kids. People waiting for buses shouldn’t have to put up with the debris of needles or meth pipes laying in the bus shelter.”

City council first approved the needle cleanup program in spring 2025 to improve public safety and limit exposure to biohazards. A previous city report disclosed that in its first year the program aided in the removal of more than 6,000 needles and 177 weapons.

Gillingham said the program’s expansion is expected to begin immediately.