Winnipeg City Council rejects creating designated homeless encampment site despite community support
Posted June 25, 2026 6:15 pm.
Last Updated June 25, 2026 8:49 pm.
The Winnipeg City Council rejected a motion to create a designated encampment site for those experiencing homelessness despite community advocates’ push for it.
The proposal was originally proposed by Cindy Gilroy, councillor for the Daniel McIntyre ward, who brought it back for reconsideration.
“We need a place for people to go,” said Gilroy, who also originally proposed the motion. “When we move people out of certain areas – where are they going to go?”
A previous feasibility report conducted by the City showed it would cost over $1 million to operate the site for 50-60 residents with staffing. Without staffing the costs were estimated to be $55,000 from April 1 to Aug. 31.
Marion Willis, founder and CEO of St. Boniface Street Links, spoke at City Hall Thursday in support of the designated encampment.
She said Winnipeg can not afford the cost of doing nothing.
“Not because encampments are ideal, not because homelessness is acceptable, but because the current situation is not working for anybody,” Willis said.
Rolland, who has lived in an encampment behind the Granite Curling Club for five years, said he would like to see an encampment site with resources.
“I would say yes to this idea of placement camps if placed in area like this,” he said.
However, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham called on the council to reject the motion. He said unhoused people cannot be forced to stay at a specific site.
“A managed encampment is not going to be the panacea people think it is,” Gillingham said. “So, I maintain my position – our focus, our energies need to go into housing built.”
In a statement to CityNews, the province agreed with the mayor.
“No one should be chronically homeless in a country as rich as Canada. Encampments aren’t safe for the people living there and they’re not safe for others. Our plan moves people out of tents and into safe and dignified housing with wraparound supports to help make sure they successfully stay housed,” said a spokesperson for Manitoba’s Ministry of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness.
The motion was rejected following a 11-4 vote.
