The City of Winnipeg’s announcement of a new “coordinated” effort to combat suspicious fires and arson has drawn sharp criticism from the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, who called the plan “rhetoric without results.”

At a press conference held today, Mayor Scott Gillingham said the City is taking proactive steps through its Problem Property Committee and Arson Prevention Group, working with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and Winnipeg Police Service to address the city’s arson problem. According to the City, in the first three quarters of 2025, Licensing and Bylaw Enforcement conducted 9,616 inspections of vacant buildings to enforce safety standards and ensure they remained secure. During the same period, 378 properties were boarded under stricter requirements, 372 tonnes of debri

See Full Page