Words and photos by Sarah Struthers
Homelessness, crumbling infrastructure top of mind for voters in diverse urban ward
Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry is a south-central ward in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
There are about 45,000 residents in the ward’s neighbourhoods that span West Broadway, McMillan, Riverview, and Wildwood. Most of the people that live in the area are a mix of renters and homeowners, people in their 20s to 50s, small families, newcomers, students and recent graduates.
The high-traffic area is near downtown and popular urban destinations such as The Forks, the Manitoba Legislature, Osborne Village, and Corydon Avenue. The ward is mostly pedestrian-friendly, with nearby bus routes, bike lanes, and green spaces.
Crime rates across the ward have gone down four per cent in the past 12 months and down four per cent in the past three years.
In 2022, Sherri Rollins was elected as City Councillor with 9,704 votes over challenger Michael Thompson with 3,075 votes. This year, Rollins withdrew her candidacy after representing the ward for two four terms. There are four candidates running for the open seat: Kevin Stuart, Jeff Palmer, Brook Jones and Carson Mauthe.
DILLON PROULX, 26, FILM TECHNICIAN WITH ICG 669 IN WINNIPEG
HOW LONG LIVED IN WARD: 5 MONTHS
What’s life like in the ward?
It’s a very calm neighborhood, most neighbours know each other. It’s quiet, it’s quaint. There’s new buildings getting constructed and there’s renovations going on for the older homes. There’s a community center just north of where I Iive and they’re always doing fun events.
What are some local needs that you notice?
I know there’s the big transit rework going on and there’s lots of mixed feelings. I have a friend that works in transit and he’s not super excited about it. I haven’t seen very many individuals that are homeless or dealing with other issues. The housing is quite expensive, especially with these new houses being built. They’re very small and tight, but a bit more affordable, which is good. Crime, there’s very little, as I can see. There’s been a few instances of people having the odd burglar incident or vehicle damaged.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I unfortunately don’t know much about it. I took some time to look at both of what they’re presenting. The one candidate proposed a bit more of like a business route and Jeff (Palmer) a little bit more like close to home, staying within the community.
JASMINE ROBIN, 29, RETAIL SALESPERSON AT INDIGENOUS NATIONS APPAREL
HOW LONG LIVED IN WARD: 2 YEARS
What’s life like in the ward?
I love that there’s so much going on. I grew up in the North End and I’d always come to this side of the city because I think there’s a lot of connection for young people. Me and my roommates are moving this month because of just like, I don’t know, we’re not feeling safe anymore.
What are some local needs that you notice?
Definitely transit is an issue. I’m having a hard time navigating the new system. With housing, as it’s getting colder, there’s this growing anticipation of like what are we going to do every year because the numbers (of people on the street) are just growing. That’s the main issue of why we’re leaving this area, there’s constantly people breaking into our building because they’re seeking shelter. I don’t feel safe in this environment.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I have this state of hopelessness when it comes to voting. I try to care about what’s going on in my community I just get so overwhelmed by everything I hear. I feel like I’m not involved enough. It’s a double-edged sword of trying to be involved and educated, but also protect your own peace.
MARILYN KENNY, 81, RETIRED
HOW LONG LIVED IN WARD: 15 YEARS
What’s life like in the ward?
Fairly calm. I have a gorgeous view out my window and there’s lots of walking area. But overall, I mean, it’s a good neighborhood and we have lots of different kinds of people –different age groups, different ethnic groups, and all kinds of services.
What are some local needs that you notice?
Well, transit is a problem. I think that housing is an issue in terms of homelessness in certain pockets, but there’s lots of units that seem to be either for rent or for sale. I’m not happy at all about these bicycle paths. If they would fix the sidewalk so people with walkers and parents that have strollers and things could get by easily, then bikes and pedestrians can share the sidewalks.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I certainly hope the same mayor doesn’t come in again. That’s again because of some of these issues. I think we need some changes related to the safety in the city.
MATT SLETTO, 44, SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR NAVICOR TRAVEL SOLUTIONS
HOW LONG LIVED IN WARD: 13 YEARS
What’s life like in the ward? Just normal. I don’t know how to answer that question.
What are some local needs that you notice?
Obviously, the unhoused situation and open drug use. There’s a lot of garbage in this area; trash gets just strewn about. I feel like transit has gotten better since the change last year. I don’t think this is an unsafe area, but I think the perception is that it is. The police eat up the budget, which isn’t great, and just because of our weather, the snow removal and road repairs also takes up a huge amount. It feels like there’s never enough for anything else, which sucks because you want to have more stuff going on in your city and things improve. But it feels like there’s no money for anything except cops.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I’ve only followed the mayoral race a little bit and it seems like Scott Gillingham is kind of the only serious candidate and everybody else seems kind of like a joke or doesn’t have a chance or some kind of right-wing ghoul. I’m not super engaged with it, despite previously having been more interested in civic elections. I’ve just been mostly uninterested based on the lack of options.
MICHAEL BUMSTED, 42, OWNER AND BOOKSELLER AT WHODUNIT MYSTERY BOOKSTORE
HOW LONG IN WARD: 20 YEARS
What’s life like in the ward?
It’s very positive. We enjoy it very much.
We have expanded our store and stayed local rather than go into somewhere further away.
And we really cherish the value of being on Lilac Street and in Crescentwood.
What are some local needs that you notice?
Oh, yes. The storm drain on Lilac Street from Cordon to Grosvenor backs up into our basement and into the basement of every business and every apartment block along the entire stretch. A function that our councillor says will be replaced by 2047, but that the mayor or anybody at the city has not yet had any energy to have input into.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I haven’t seen anybody in the mayoral race who is willing to seriously discuss the fact that nearly half the city’s budget goes to the police or the fact that we need to address climate change as an emergency issue. Instead, we are a lot more focused on the byproducts of what happens, homelessness, drug use, and not the fact that people don’t have the ability to work or the right to work or the space to work or the space to live in the city of Winnipeg and that the city is not properly providing resources for those things even as more and more people get displaced by climate crises or advancing technology.
MONIQUE CHARTRAND, 37, TENANT SUPPORT WORKER FOR THE WESTMINSTER HOUSING SOCIETY WITH WEST BROADWAY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
HOW LONG LIVED IN WARD: GREW UP IN THE AREA AND MOVED BACK 6.5 MONTHS AGO.
What’s life like in the ward?
I love this area. There’s a lot of historical charm in terms of the residents too. There’s a lot of real community connection and a lot of support, people coming together, you know for collective interests and it’s just a great area.
What are some local needs that you notice?
The biggest issue right now would be the affordability of housing and a lack of regulations in place to protect tenants. Addictions and homelessness are something that a lot of us see, it’s obviously quite out in the open. There are quite a few resources here for our unhoused population. There are not enough services to assist folks that are coming in looking for basic needs.
What’s your take on the Oct. 28 election?
I’m aware of some of the candidates right now. And I haven’t landed on anyone in particular that I’m solid about in terms of like my vote yet. I mean, there’s a lot of things I would certainly like to see, but it goes back to sort of the stuff I was discussing with affordability, homelessness right now. The biggest things for me, it’s all very interconnected is there’s got to be more supports for people, and to make that more widely available and accessible. There’s some interesting candidates. I can say that from what I’ve seen.
For information on how to vote and where, head to the official City of Winnipeg election website.
The staff of Winnipeg Better can be reached by email at jmajorrrc@gmail.com