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PAC Media Release

Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

March 13th, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Case for a Civilian Led Crisis Response Objectives:

1) People in medical crisis receive a medical response first.
2) Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) no longer responds to calls for service that are outside their scope or expertise.
3) A reduction in overall calls for service for WPS.
4) Better service to the community through a more effective evidence and community-based approach.

Winnipeg’s current police led response, the Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis, was launched in 2021 on a false premise. At the time both the Winnipeg Police Service and Shared Health representatives, the project’s partners, insisted that a police presence was necessary due to the potential volatility of these calls for service. WPS Police Chief Danny Smyth said at the time: “…the reality is that police will always need to play a role in these calls for service as these situations can be violent and unpredictable….”. This is despite the fact that community-led responses had been in operation for years.

“We have seen too many heartbreaking tragedies, not just in this past year, but for years. The WPS continues to insist they must be the lead on these calls when the evidence does not back that up. Chief Smyth, himself, has recently noted that according to WPS use of force reports, only 0.33% of calls result in any force being used. So why do we need police at all 20 some thousand well-being checks?” Angelina Pelletier, PAC Co-chair “We do understand that there are inherent risks of a situation escalating. However, what the WPS approach does not recognize is that some people, due to their particular condition, substance used, past bad experiences with police etc… are actually escalated by a police presence. Just because a situation does not end in violence does not mean it was necessarily a success or as successful as it could have been. Someone can be intimidated into compliance furthering mental and emotional harm. A community led response would mean that the police would only be called if the community-based organizations’ first responders felt they needed additional support.” Abdikheir Ahmed, PAC Co-chair.

“We cannot pretend that there is not a racial component to this issue. When one considers who has died in police encounters, we see that they are predominantly Indigenous, Black or other Racialized People. If the crisis response team was rooted in community, we may get better representation and results as the person in crisis would see themselves in the person trying to help them.” Lisa Forbes, Immigration Matters in Canada Coalition and PAC member.

“My friend was left waiting for over 8 hours for the WPS to arrive. And when they did, they decided she was fine and left her. When I finally got to her, it was clear she was not. She was hearing voices and had shocked herself multiple times as those voices told her to by dismantling a wall plug. I got her to hospital where she was admitted for a full breakdown. But the police thought she was fine?” Teruni Walaliyadde, SEED and PAC member.

“We in Winnipeg are very clearly heading in the wrong direction. At a recent inquest into 5 deaths in police custody, that is 5 previous deaths, not the most recent ones, a police use-of-force expert said that all that is needed is for more police to show up at calls and have the paramedics arrive earlier so the person in distress can be subdued faster and then medicated. One can only assume this would be against their free will in these circumstances. How could this not just perpetuate harm? Kate Kehler, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg and PAC member.

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Kate Kehler, 204-590-8932, kkehler@spcw.mb.ca

Link to full position paper.

Campaign 2000

Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February, 13th, 2024

Poverty Eradication:  There Are Ways, So Where’s the Will?

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – Most recent data show Manitoba’s child and family poverty rates are on the rise again.  74,960 children in Manitoba struggled in poverty in 2021.  This is an increase of 10,290 from 2020.  Campaign 2000 – Manitoba’s report outlines the state of child and family poverty in this province, including analysis of the impacts of federal and provincial income supports on the health and well-being of children as pandemic benefits have ceased while interest and inflation rates soar.

“In 2020 we saw an unprecedented decrease in child poverty largely due to pandemic benefits. In 2021 we saw a large increase as pandemic benefits waned.  There are two lessons, First, government income transfers can be effective in reducing poverty.  Second, we need the political will to place poverty reduction above austerity.”  Sid Frankel, Campaign 2000 National Steering Committee.

“What is really important to understand is that while the 2021 numbers are shocking, here at Harvest we know how hard families are struggling today.  49% of our clients are children.  We have seen a 150% increase in total clients since 2019.”  Meaghan Erbus, Harvest Manitoba.

“The Manitoba fuel tax holiday is a regressive tax expenditure that does little to help those who are struggling the most. If our province were to prioritize the needs of Manitoba children, redirecting the cost of the fuel tax holiday towards income supports for children in low income families could cut child poverty by as much as 31 percent over six months or by 62 percent on an annual basis.”  Josh Brandon, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.

“Imagine arriving from situations where you got uprooted due to political, environmental and or other situations and arrive in a very cold-weathered country, a completely different culture, where now you need to start a new life with your family. You would need help to ground yourself regardless of your skills or other status.  Hence, the first few years of arrival are very critical for the newcomer families to receive a well coordinated and wraparound support for them to have a smooth and successful settlement and integration.”  Reuben Garang, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.

Media Contact for all Speakers:  Kate Kehler, 204-590-8932, kkehler@spcw.mb.ca

Campaign 2000 is a national coalition that monitors progress and setbacks to end child and family poverty in Canada. It was initially formed to hold the federal government to its 1989 unanimous motion in the House of Commons to end child poverty by the year 2000.

C2000 There are ways, So Where’s the Will

Volunteer Board Member Job Posting

Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

SPCW is one of the oldest social justice organizations in Canada. Born out of the same turbulent times that led to the General Strike of 1919, SPCW focuses on change rather than charity to achieve our vision of a sustainable … Continue reading →