The City of Winnipeg has announced a plan to prioritize addressing homeless encampments located near playgrounds and areas posing immediate safety risks. The city’s strategy, detailed in a report scheduled for review by the community services committee, aims to address the estimated 100 encampments across Winnipeg as of August, with approximately 700 individuals living in these areas. Complaints related to encampments received by the city’s 311 service totaled 972 between June 2024 and June 2025.
Starting from November 17, the city will implement restrictions on setting up tents near schools, playgrounds, pools, and seniors’ facilities, as well as in proximity to transit stops, bridges, piers, medians, traffic islands, and rail crossings. Additionally, city staff will intervene in cases of “life safety” concerns, such as open fires or unsafe structures.
A new encampment response protocol has been established to guide the city’s actions based on the risks and impacts of each site, utilizing a three-level system.
Level 1: Immediate risks or camps near sensitive areas outlined in the policy will prompt urgent, coordinated responses, with a cleanup notice period.
Level 2: Larger sites on non-sensitive land with unsanitary conditions or unauthorized structures will undergo coordinated cleanups following outreach and notice.
Level 3: Small, low-risk sites will be monitored by outreach workers rather than immediately cleared.
The city will establish an encampment coordination table involving officials from various departments to prioritize and manage cleanup and enforcement efforts.
‘Reasonable and compassionate’
Enforcement actions will occur primarily during daylight hours to prevent long-term encampments from causing hazards, environmental harm, or safety issues. The city’s approach aims to manage public spaces consistently without criminalizing individuals, according to Greg MacPherson, Winnipeg’s acting manager of community development.
MacPherson emphasized the importance of collaborating with outreach partners to ensure a reasonable and compassionate approach towards vulnerable citizens. The plan does not entail additional funding or staff at present, with initial staffing drawn from existing city employees and garbage removal costs covered by the public works budget.
While outreach providers like Main Street Project have not been fully consulted on the plan, MacPherson expressed willingness to engage with the sector to align with council directives.
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