The provincial government has rolled out a new public safety strategy, the goal of which is not only to address violent crime and retail theft but also to zero in on the root causes of these crimes and affect change.
“That’s what this strategy is all about,” says Matt Wiebe, Minister of Justice. “Right now, we have the chance to turn things around for the better. This strategy is just the beginning, to provide a new path forward for everyone in Manitoba to feel safe.”
Portions of the new funding will help communities establish community-led justice programs, reconciliation, and initiatives to end violence against women and girls. In addition to providing 12 new police officers in Winnipeg to address retail crime, another focus of the strategy is to develop enhanced legislation addressing impaired driving, specifically by seeking input from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Rural communities can expect a two percent increase from the province for municipal law enforcement in an effort to get more boots on the ground. Winnipeg’s current electronic monitoring program will be extended beyond city limits to help protect rural areas more effectively.
One hundred new mental health workers will be hired to work alongside first responders, strengthening mental health supports for adults and youth.
To help turn the tide on adolescent crime, the province is creating a youth summit where young leaders will be invited to share and develop solutions.
“We believe in creating pathways to success rather than pipelines to prison by empowering and supporting our youth and preventing people leaving prison from reoffending,” says Wiebe. “The justice system shouldn’t be the end of the road for Manitobans. It should be the beginning of accountability and real change. We’re committed to ensuring our justice system provides support for those Manitobans who are ready to turn their lives around, find meaningful work, and give back to their communities.”
The new strategy was developed following consultation with representatives from 210 community groups, social service agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, Indigenous organizations, legal professionals, business leaders, and government officials.
“All Manitobans deserve to feel safe in their communities,” says Kathy Valentino, interim president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM). “The AMM therefore welcomes the Manitoba government’s efforts in establishing a public safety strategy as a critical step toward creating safer communities for all Manitobans, no matter where they live. We also thank the government for conducting provincewide consultations with our members to help inform the development of this strategy as well as committing to annual escalatory funding to support municipal law enforcement. As we move toward implementation, ongoing collaboration between the Manitoba government and municipalities will be key to ensuring safer, more secure communities across our province.”
