Manitoba is in crisis.
New provincial data confirms what many on the front lines already knew — the overdose epidemic is worsening, emergency responders are overwhelmed, and violence continues to shape life in Winnipeg despite signs of statistical decline.
A Record Year of Overdose Deaths
Updated figures from the province now show 570 suspected drug-related deaths in 2024, making it the deadliest year for overdoses in Manitoba’s history. The tally includes 40 previously unreported deaths in December and a retroactive correction to 2023’s count — up from 445 to 568. This isn’t just a number. These are lives lost — neighbours, family members, community members.
“This is a real crisis,” says Melissa Chung-Mowat, Executive Director of the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre. “When we have a toxic drug supply, people are dying before they can even access support.” On April 28, seven people overdosed within a matter of hours in Winnipeg’s inner city, prompting urgent drug alerts from community organizations. These numbers speak to the critical need for timely access to harm reduction services, including the long-debated supervised consumption site which still has not materialized.
Paramedics on the Brink
The human toll of this crisis isn’t limited to those using substances. Emergency responders are burning out at alarming rates. A recent MGEU survey found that 71% of paramedics and dispatchers have seriously considered quitting in the past year. Stress, understaffing, and exposure to violence have left them emotionally drained. Nearly 93% have experienced violence on the job, with daily incidents reported by one in four.
“While people sleep in their beds, paramedics are out there being kicked, punched, and threatened,” said Ryan Woiden, MGEU Local 911 president and veteran paramedic. These conditions not only endanger workers but threaten the integrity of our entire emergency response system — at a time when it’s needed most.
Crime: Downward Trend, but Concerns Remain
The Winnipeg Police Service’s 2024 Statistical Report shows a five per cent drop in the city’s Violent Crime Severity Index, down from 214.4 in 2023 to 203.7 — the first meaningful decline in over a decade. But Winnipeg’s index remains more than double the national average, and the city still ranks among the most violent in Canada.
Police Chief Gene Bowers emphasized that this isn’t a victory lap: “It’s trending in the right direction, but we don’t accept being the most violent city in Canada.” The drop may be encouraging, but for communities still feeling unsafe, it offers limited comfort.
Rising Security Costs Reflect Worsening Conditions
Across city departments, security costs have skyrocketed, reflecting the growing need to protect public spaces. Spending on safety measures — including private security guards at libraries and the animal services building — has jumped from $198,260 in 2015 to $826,324 in 2024, a more than fourfold increase.
“We’ve seen security costs increase across North America,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, noting that the trend isn’t isolated to Winnipeg. However, the financial strain it places on local budgets highlights the broader societal impacts of untreated mental health, addiction, and economic insecurity.
Conclusion: What Will It Take?
The data tells a sobering story — record-breaking overdose deaths, burnout among frontline responders, persistent violence, and ballooning security costs. Behind every number is a human being, a family, and a community struggling to cope with overlapping crises.
This moment demands more than discussion and delay. It demands action — harm reduction services, sustained support for emergency workers, and a community-first approach to safety and healing. Anything less means more lives lost, more trauma endured, and more costs passed on to future generations.
