Why Increasing Graffiti Removal Funding in Winnipeg Matters Now More Than Ever
Graffiti can be a form of artistic expression—but when it shows up as unwanted vandalism on
businesses, homes, and public spaces, it becomes more than just paint on a wall. It’s a community issue, and in Winnipeg, it’s a growing one.
That’s why I brought forward a motion to increase graffiti removal funding for the West End BIZ to do the work is crucial step in protecting the vibrancy and economic well-being of our neighborhoods.
Graffiti: More Than Just an Eyesore I have a slide show presentation that I will link that is just one back lane and within one block in that area. The community feels neglected and the demand for service means longer wait times to get the work done. Unaddressed graffiti sends a message that an area is neglected or unsafe. It can deter customers from frequenting businesses, reduce property values, and contribute to a general sense of
disorder in a community. For residents and business owners alike, the presence of graffiti—especially when left unchecked—can have real social and economic consequences.
The West End BIZ has been at the forefront of Winnipeg’s graffiti removal for Homes, business and parks for years. The city has used them to help with the demands the city has on graffiti and they’ve become experts in the job, equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and experience to remove graffiti efficiently under different weather conditions. But here’s the issue—they’ve been doing all of this without an increase in funding, despite demand skyrocketing.
Currently, the West End BIZ isn’t just looking after their own neighborhood; they’re also removing graffiti in seven other BIZ zones across the city. To keep up, they’ve had to begin charging fees to those zones to offset costs. This has led to three zones opting out of the service entirely—not because the service isn’t needed, but because it’s no longer affordable without city support.
A Growing Need, A Static Budget Let’s be clear: the graffiti problem is growing. But the funding to address it has not.
That’s why the motion recommends the City of Winnipeg increase its grant funding to the West End BIZ by $55,000 per year starting in 2025. This increase would allow the organization to continue providing high-quality, timely graffiti removal services—not just in their area, but across the multiple neighborhoods that rely on them.
Agenda – City Centre Community Committee – April 7, 2025
REPORTS Item No. 5 Increase of Funds to the West End BIZ for City Graffiti Removal (Daniel McIntyre Ward) Councillor Gilroy, Daniel McIntyre Ward, has submitted the following motion to the City Centre Community Committee for consideration:
WHEREAS there are economic and social damages caused by graffiti that impacts our communities in
Winnipeg and it is a growing issue;
AND WHEREAS the West End BIZ conducts Graffiti removal on behalf of the City;
AND WHEREAS over the years the West End BIZ has become experts and have the equipment for the types of cleaning and weather conditions they are having to deal with;
AND WHEREAS the West End BIZ has not seen an increase funding from the City to meet the demand of service;
AND WHEREAS the West End BIZ is conducting graffiti removal for seven other BIZ zones;
AND WHEREAS the West End BIZ zone has had to charge a fee to other BIZ Zones to recoup the cost of the demand for services;
AND WHEREAS three BIZ Zones have opted out of this service due to an increase in the fees for graffiti removal;
AND WHEREAS the West End BIZ is seeing an increase in demand and the level of funding has been kept the same;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Centre Community Committee recommends to the Executive Policy Committee that the City provide an increase in grant funding to the West End BIZ in the amount of $55,000.00 per annum, commencing in 2025, to ensure that funding for graffiti removal is kept at a commensurate level in relation to the demand of service.
