Cities

Winnipeg mayoral candidates pledge more police, housing and tax freezes

Candidates are promising to hire more officers, build affordable housing and freeze property taxes ahead of the Oct. 28 vote.

By Erin Kowalski, Editor-in-Chief
October 17, 2026

WINNIPEG · Twelve candidates are competing to be Winnipeg's next mayor in the Oct. 28 election, with platforms focused on public safety, housing and taxes. Their promises, drawn from campaign materials and public statements, include plans to hire more police, build affordable housing and freeze property taxes. Many proposals aim to address crime and homelessness through increased enforcement and new support services. The candidates have outlined distinct approaches to city spending and development.

Scott Gillingham proposes hiring benchmarks to add police and firefighters as the city grows. He would increase the number of firefighters from 112 to 120 per 100,000 people, adding 45 net new positions. Gillingham also plans to raise the police officer count from 170 to 194 per capita, which would mean about 120 new officers over five to ten years. Kevin Klein promises to hire 100 to 110 more police officers, with some dedicated to patrolling parks, transit and neighbourhoods. He would form a crime reduction task force led by former police chief Devon Clunis, with former Liberal MP Robert Falcon-Ouellette serving on it.

Klein said the task force would "create a way to measure safety in Winnipeg and come up with recommended solutions." He also pledged to expand the drug treatment court to connect people with addiction treatment. Idris Adelakun, known as Heavy D, pledges safer streets through police and community partnerships and outreach for gang-involved youth. Glen Murray says he would place cadets in retail areas with theft issues and add officers focused on human trafficking. Robert-Falcon Ouellette promises more police downtown.

Rana Bokhari would create a new emergency services division for mental health crises using civilian responders instead of police. She says she would divert $37 million from the Winnipeg Police Service budget for the division. Chris Clacio commits to regular expense reporting by the mayor's office to give residents clear information on tax spending. On housing, Gillingham wants to simplify zoning rules to allow more mid-rise housing at malls and along major corridors. He proposes summer co-op jobs for business students to boost redevelopment and partnerships to rezone unused public land.

Klein pledges to approve demolition applications within 15 days and revise policies to seize derelict properties faster. He would waive demolition fees for landowners who rebuild, covering lost revenue through savings from fewer fire calls to vacant buildings. Klein also plans a one-year pilot project offering a managed space with around-the-clock supports for homeless people, costing an estimated $45,000 per person. He would increase fees on vacant building owners and create a mayoral office of community safety and housing outcomes within 30 days.

Shaun Loney promises supportive housing for every homeless Winnipegger. Bokhari says she would make it easier for families to buy a home. Murray has promised to repair vacant homes to get people housed. Umar Hayat says he will freeze rents and build 1,500 affordable housing units annually. Rick Shone wants to integrate homeless shelter intake with community supports and levy corporations with more than three vacant properties. He also pledges educational resources for youth on sexual exploitation and immediate support pathways for those facing coercion.

Don Woodstock vows to target properties linked to criminal activity, with escalating fines and potential property loss for landlords. He would give owners of derelict or vacant buildings 30 days to decide on demolition or redevelopment and provide free pre-approved housing designs as an incentive. Woodstock proposes stripping heritage status from structurally problematic buildings vacant for over a year. He pledges memorandums of understanding to secure permanent housing in sites like the Bay building and Portage Place and an encampment-to-housing system moving people into private units. Jenny Motkaluk promises to work with developers to build more affordable housing and use existing infrastructure for denser housing. Brad Vogiatzakis would create a three-year paid apprenticeship program with 10 spots each for police, firefighters and paramedics, guaranteeing jobs upon completion at an estimated $1.8 million to $2.2 million yearly. He said the city would cover a quarter of the cost for a $8.75-million supportive housing facility with 100 units for people needing addiction treatment, estimating annual operating costs at $5.1 million.

On taxes, Woodstock promises to reverse water bill and property tax increases and stop "wasteful spending" to lower taxes. Bokhari has promised to freeze property taxes and water rates at current levels. Clacio promised to set a $200,000 maximum on total annual compensation for the mayor, councillors and senior administrators. Woodstock also pledges an anti-littering bylaw with 500 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine for first-time violations, modeled after Singapore's system. Motkaluk promises more money for addictions care to reduce open drug use. Shone pledges early intervention for youth and post-incarceration programs to reduce crime.

With files from CBC News