Group calls for closure of Manwin Hotel

Drums and calls for action may be heard throughout Main Street Winnipeg on Friday as a group is set to gather to call for the closure of the Manwin Hotel, the organizer saying the hotel is putting people at risk. 

Barb Guimond says she’s heard the hotel has become a hotbed for crime and dangerous activity — making claims of human trafficking at the hotel — and when asked what was at stake if the hotel doesn’t close, she didn’t mince words. 

“It’s decrepit and just inhabitable in my opinion,” said Guimond. “They need to be shut down and cleaned up.

“More human trafficking of our women. More murders of our women and that’s what I’m trying to prevent. No more stolen sisters.” 

Concerns around the Manwin have been reported on by CityNews before, with one advocate calling the hotel unlivable, with two homicides recorded at the hotel in the last year.

Denying any claims of human trafficking at the hotel and of any wrongdoing, the hotel’s owner Akim Kambamba, says despite the hotel’s current condition, they’re working to improve the business and claims the Manwin has the green light to operate by public health and fire officials.

“The hotel is spending all of the money from the rent on continued maintenance,” said Kambamba.

“Some of my tenants are very angry that this protest is taking place, they want to be left alone — this is their home.” 

READ MORE: Manwin Hotel: Advocate deplores ‘unlivable’ conditions; owner says he helps the homeless

On Thursday, the Manwin appeared to have several broken windows, was covered with graffiti, and had no security visible on-site — drug use occurring inside of the building’s lobby, and while Kambamba says people are free to protest, he feels the anger is misplaced. 

“They can yell and scream as long, and as much as they want. We are not living in a country where people cannot express their opinions, but the opinions must be justified. We are providing accommodation for people who have nowhere to go.”

Keith Horn, owner of the Northern Hotel and president of the North End Business Improvement Zone, says the area is not a place for entrepreneurs who aren’t ready to be directly and constantly involved. 

“Especially a business down here, you need to be hands-on. You can’t be an arms-length manager or an arms-length owner, this place requires a bit of a firm hand and more attention,” said Horn.

He says if business owners don’t take proper care of their business, it creates a scenario where the customers are in control, which can create issues, stressing having businesses falling into disrepair, may discourage others from setting up shop, hurting the community overall, which he says has immense potential. 

“The area is a good area. A lot of people down here are great, some people have their problems and that, but for the most part, it’s really good. There’s a lot of people down here, and there’s a lot of people who trade down here, so a business could do well, depending on what kind of a business it is,” said Horn. 

The demonstration is set to take place at the Manwin on Friday at 1 p.m.