Winnipeg must make it easy to get around without a car

Sep 15

3 min read

People’s Climate Mandate Calls for Action to Ensure Taking the Bus, Riding a Bike or Walking is Convenient and Comfortable

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept 15, 2026

The future of our city depends on the ability to move our ever-growing population around efficiently and safely, without incurring massive costs that future generations will be liable for.

A good transit system is a central component of any urban city, providing access to jobs and services at a more affordable rate compared to a private car, while producing lower emissions and air pollution and reducing road maintenance costs for the city.

“We hear about the struggles Winnipeggers have in reaching their destinations in the city all of the time,” says Mel Marginet (Sustainable Transportation, Green Action Centre). “Whether it’s parents who are scared to let their children walk to school, or seniors who are isolated and dependent on family members to drive them around, time and again people report that they have “no choice” but to drive. Winnipeg needs to offer people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to travel quickly and safely outside of personal vehicles.”

Being able to cycle and walk benefits personal health, helps people save on transportation costs, and builds safer, more vibrant neighbourhoods. More trips being made by cycling and walking lessens air pollution, cuts GHG emissions from transportation, stimulates the local economy, and helps the city save money on road maintenance.

PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MANDATE

The PCM is a 10-point advocacy platform that represents how the next city council can take action to make our city more climate-friendly, green, liveable, and democratic. The platform was developed through:

A public townhall with ~100 community members to brainstorm and evaluate solutions
Conversations with organizations across the city to learn more about city context and discuss their priorities
A review of the city's plans and policies, as well as supporting background research. All PCM recommendations are grounded in the city's stated commitments, targets, and plans.

Read the full PCM here.

CALL TO ACTION

The People’s Climate Mandate calls on mayor and council candidates to support four calls to action:

Increase funding for transit: In order to realize the potential of the new network and make sure it works for riders, the city needs to adequately fund transit service. This would allow Winnipeg Transit to increase service frequency by increasing operating hours, adding more buses, and hiring more drivers. The province has a role to play here too by restoring the 50-50 funding agreement, but city council needs to prioritize transit funding among the issues they advocate for to the province.
Traffic design and infrastructure that prioritizes buses: adding more bus lanes and priority signals (that allow buses to move ahead at an intersection before other vehicles), as well as continuing to build out Rapid Transit infrastructure will allow buses to move quickly and efficiently through the city. These plans are in the Transit Master Plan but the timeline needs to be sped up.
Increase funding for walking and biking: increase capital funding for the Pedestrian and Cycling Program in 2027 to $20 million (triple the City’s 2026 budget projection) to accelerate development of the walking and cycling networks.
Hire additional staff: hire two additional full-time employees to help implement the Pedestrian and Cycling Strategies.

Fast Facts:

39% of Winnipegers polled drive more than they would like to
People walking and biking account for almost half (45%) of traffic fatalities
Winnipeg spends the least amount on transit compared to other Canadian cities

More Details

“The issues with the primary transit network rollout last year are an example of what happens when a transportation system has been underfunded for years,” said Hannah Muhajarine, Campaigns Manager with Climate Reality. “The People’s Climate Mandate is clear: we need the next city council to stop trying to cut corners on transit and active transportation and make the investments needed to bring Winnipeg’s our transportation systems in line with other big cities, where people are easily able to travel without a car.”

PHOTOS