Winnipeg’s ‘fire trap’ Manwin hotel needs to be put in spotlight: Activist

A Winnipeg activist wants swift and immediate action on a problematic hotel in the city. Saying as conversations around hotel training and hotel safety emerge following a violent incident captured on video at the Marlborough Hotel, she says a hotel in the Manwin, must also be put under the spotlight, calling the conditions “more than dangerous.”

“This building is what I could fall a firetrap,” said Vivian Ketchum, a writer and activist.

She says something must be done to improve the conditions for the people living there, saying she feels many of them are struggling and being taken advantage of. 

“I talked to some of the people and you could hear the despair. They don’t want to be living like this,” she explained. 

Ketchum, who recently toured the hotel, says she saw countless issues, ranging from water damage, exposed electrical wiring and garbage, packed rooms, and destroyed heating components saying the people living there deserve better. 

“This is a group of people that the government, the city, the provincial government, are choosing to ignore. These are people without a voice — and they’re vulnerable — and if they don’t have a voice, no one is going to hear them.” 

Ketchum says she’s frustrated nothing has been done after people have been raising concerns about the Manwin for months. 

“They could have worked on a plan to move these people,” she explained.

Despite claims by owner Akim Kambamba via text message, the hotel is “clean” and the heat is functioning. The reality of the situation on Friday, however, was the exact opposite, with the doors unlocked, no security present, and a stream of people coming and going from the graffiti-covered venue.

A massive puddle of water greets all who pass through the Manwin’s Main Street doorway — a regular site for police. 

“When there are serious incidents that are happening in our little block there, the majority of them do come from the Manwin,” said Peter McMullen, the director of nearby Lighthouse Mission.

McMullen says whatever happens to the troubled hotel, those who call it home must have a seat at the table, saying what’s happening at the Manwin is a symptom of larger issues around affordable housing and lacking supports for some of the city’s most vulnerable.

However, he stressed safety needs to be a priority. 

“There’s a tremendous amount of responsibility that has to be taken by the owner, to make sure that he is providing a worthwhile service and a safe facility. Absolutely, that’s first and foremost, but the people who are going to be affected, they need to be involved in the conversation,” said McMullen. 

CityNews reached out to the City, which responded that it participated in a joint inspection of the hotel with Manitoba Public Health.

“The City issued three orders at that time under the Neighbourhood Liveability By-law, including deficiencies in windows, screens, and doors, plumbing issues, and litter/garbage,” read the statement.

“The order on litter/garbage was corrected, while the other two orders, along with an additional order from 2021 issued by the Planning, Property & Development department to obtain permits for work started without permits, remain open (three orders are currently open against the property).”

The statement went on to indicate that the City has received a new complaint during the week related to similar deficiencies, as well as lack of heat. Before noting there would be another inspection within the next few weeks.