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Winnipeg's Mayor Scott Gillingham takes time to discuss what the city will focus on as the new school year begins and autumn approaches.
"I'm honoured to be here today, especially as we celebrate CHVN's 25th birthday," says Gillingham. "I've been around the city of Winnipeg for quite a while, and I can't believe it's been 25 years already that CHVN has been on the air."
Gillingham presented the radio station with a Community Service Award. The mayor's office started handing these out to organizations and groups that have made an impact on the community since 1950. This was the 350th award of its kind given over the past 75 years.
"I hereby recognize CHVN 95.1 FM as an exemplary organization whose excellent leadership in the field of community service is greatly appreciated."
Gillingham shared how the summer around the city included many multicultural festivals, bringing people together, as he looks toward the fall with new goals.
"As we head into the fall, our new transit system will really be put to the test. It's a whole new system. I encourage everyone to be patient, and I do ask that everyone using transit, send in an email to talk about your experience with transit. Some things are working well and others are saying it's taking too long and the connections are taking too long."
Gillingham says people's feedback will be greatly valued and help iron out the kinks for people who use buses frequently. Anyone with feedback can head over to the city's website.
Addressing Encampments, Homelessness, and Crime
"Homelessness continues to be a big, big challenge within our city," says Gillingham. "We are not alone. If you look at any major city across Canada and the United States, everyone is having the same challenges with too many people struggling in our streets."
The mayor says the city is partnering with the local government in addressing this challenge.
"The provincial plan is called 'Your Way Home.' The city is a full partner, working with the province and frontline agencies like Main Street Project, St. Boniface Street Links, West End Women's Resource Centre, Siloam Mission, and Salvation Army. We're all partners in this plan. The key is housing. It's really difficult, almost impossible, to treat someone's addiction or mental health illness when they're living in a tent by the river."
The hope from the plan is to get more people into housing alongside wrap-around supports, according to Gillingham. He also addressed many Winnipeggers' concerns about encampments popping up all over the city.
"Just recently, as a council, we're bringing in a set of rules around encampments. Just because people don't have housing yet doesn't mean people who are homeless can or should camp anywhere. We just can't have that. We're not allowing encampment near playgrounds or parks, close to rail bridges or roads."
The city of Winnipeg has been working on more affordable housing for the general public as well, and will make this a priority this coming year.
"One of the things, my big focus is improving the safety of Winnipeg and calling on the federal government to change the bail laws," says Gillingham. "I've been working with the mayors of Brandon and Portage la Prairie. Too often, we have the same individuals committing crime over and over again. They get arrested by police, go before a judge in the courts and are back in the streets. That can't happen."
As crime has risen over the past few years, Gillingham is committed to helping change the laws.
"We need a safer city. I'm not a 'lock them up and throw away the key' kind of guy. I'm a compassionate guy and believe people can change and their lives can be transformed. However, until that happens, individuals cannot be permitted to be out, continuing their criminal activity."