My commitment to making Winnipeg Canada’s safest city

The first part of my platform is committing to a four-year public safety plan aimed at making Winnipeg Canada’s safest city.

As a father, a grandfather, and a proud Winnipegger, I want to live in a city where families feel safe, businesses can operate without fear, and people can use our streets, parks, and public transit without worrying about crime.

Winnipeg isn’t the safest city in Canada today, but it can be. That starts with leadership, a plan, and the political will to get it done.

A four-year public safety plan

My plan includes:

• Establishing a public safety task force led by former Winnipeg Police Chief Devon Clunis, bringing together police, community leaders, businesses, and other stakeholders to develop and execute a focused four-year strategy.

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.

Some quick numbers paint a disappointing picture for the city’s future. In 2026, we’ve seen 47 transit assaults, a poll that found Winnipeg was perceived as the most unsafe city in Canada, and the fact that 57% of Winnipeggers have said the city has too few police officers.

My commitments

To combat these concerning trends, I am committing to:

• Installing panic buttons on every Winnipeg Transit bus within two years, connected directly to police dispatch.

• Increasing police presence in neighbourhoods, parks, and on public transit.

• Taking stronger action against drug dealing and criminal activity.

My plan also calls for working with the provincial government for greater use of Drug Treatment Court, combining treatment with accountability when addiction is connected to criminal activity.

Addiction is a health crisis, and people need treatment. But compassion cannot mean looking the other way when people are being victimized or our neighbourhoods are being damaged. We can have compassion and accountability at the same time.

Public safety will require cooperation between police, governments, and community organizations. 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.

My message is simple: Winnipeg needs change that makes sense, and public safety has to be the priority.

Kevin Klein