City of Winnipeg details plan to clear homeless encampments starting mid-November

Homeless encampments in sensitive areas near playgrounds and those that pose immediate risks to safety will get highest priority under the City of Winnipeg’s plan to restrict where tents can be set up. 

The city released details of its plan in a report, set to go before the community services committee next week. 

Using data from the provincial homelessness strategy, the city estimates there were about 100 encampments across Winnipeg as of August this year, with as many as 700 people. Between June 2024 and June 2025, residents made 972 encampment-related complaints to 311.

Beginning Nov. 17, tents will be prohibited near schools, playgrounds, pools and seniors’ facilities, as well as close to transit stops, bridges, piers, medians, traffic islands and rail crossings. City staff will also be able to intervene wherever “life safety” issues are found, such as open fires or unsafe structures.

A new encampment response protocol sets out how the city will respond, depending on the risks and impacts of each site, using a three-level system.

Level 1: Camps near sensitive areas laid out in the policy, or posing immediate risks such as fire, will trigger urgent, co-ordinated responses, with a notice period for cleanup to occur.

Level 2: Larger sites on non-sensitive land with debris, unsanitary conditions or unpermitted structures will face co-ordinated cleanups after outreach and notice.

Level 3: Small, low-risk sites will be monitored by outreach workers rather than cleared right away.

The city will create an encampment co-ordination table, including officials from departments like public works, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, police, community development and Winnipeg Transit to triage encampments, set priorities, and co-ordinate cleanup and enforcement efforts.

Enforcement will take place mainly during daylight hours, starting an hour after sunrise and ending an hour before sunset. Officials say that approach recognizes people need somewhere to sleep at night, but is designed to prevent long-term encampments from becoming entrenched and creating fire hazards, environmental damage or public safety concerns.

Greg MacPherson, Winnipeg’s acting manager of community development and author of the report, said the intention is not to criminalize people but to manage public spaces more consistently. 

“Wherever we can, I think we're going to approach that work with just being very reasonable with people,” MacPherson said.

“These are vulnerable citizens. We aren't going to go in and try to hurt anyone. I think it’s to work in collaboration with our outreach partners to make sure that our approach is as reasonable and compassionate as possible.”

The plan does not include any new staff or additional funding.