The security team is days away from getting on the buses, the mayor said in a speech to the city – Winnipeg Free Press

The City of Winnipeg aims to approve thousands of accommodations by the end of November, and local bus drivers should start seeing the new security presence on buses on February 19.

In his second state of the city address Friday, Mayor Scott Gillingham told an audience of more than 1,200 at the convention center that community safety officers will soon help patrol Winnipeg's transit vehicles and shelters.

“Our new community safety team will be on duty patrolling our transit system in 10 short days,” Gillingham said during a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce event.

The mayor said that since the city is currently not meeting the demand, this year he will also pay attention to housing production.

“Many people in our society are struggling to find housing. We have to act now,” he said.

The mayor announced a goal to work with the City Council, city staff, business leaders and community groups to get development permits for 8,000 new housing units by Nov. 30. He later clarified that it may include previously proposed projects that have not yet received final approval.

Gillingham also told the crowd that he will instruct the city's director of innovation to provide recommendations on how to better use artificial intelligence to improve customer service, including 311. He said that will happen before Canada Day.

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Joyanna Pursaga
Reporter

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Joyanna loves to tell the stories of this city, especially when politics are involved. Joyanna became a city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press in early 2020.

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