How homelessness is becoming a key issue in Winnipeg's upcoming election

Reducing poverty and homelessness has emerged as a key issue for Winnipeggers in the civic election.

An online survey over the summer showed it's one of the top issues respondents want the city's next mayor and council to address.

One advocate for unsheltered people is hopeful their concern leads to action.

"I know homelessness is becoming an issue because it's in your face, it's so visual these days with the camps being everywhere in different neighbourhoods all over the city,” said Al Wiebe, a homeless advocate and consultant. 

He ended up homeless for more than two years after losing his job more than a decade ago, spending time sleeping in a car and a shelter.  He said he's surprised but happy to hear Winnipeggers seem to be taking more notice of people in situations such as the one he faced.

"For me, as a person who's lived through both homelessness and poverty, poverty is as traumatic and as devastating as homelessness is,” Wiebe said.

Sixty-four per cent of 622 respondents to an online panel survey conducted by Probe Research over the summer said reducing poverty and homelessness should be one of the top three issues for the next mayor and council to address.  It was right in line with reducing crime and increasing public safety, also at 64 per cent, and above repairing roads and bridges at 53 per cent.