More than nine in ten Winnipeg adults support the idea of hiring more mental health workers (94%, including 75% who strongly support this idea). A slightly smaller proportion back the idea of creating more shelter spaces for those experiencing homelessness (92%, including 71% who strongly support this).

graph showing support for measures to address homelessness

Eight in ten Winnipeggers (81%) also support creating a safe consumption site for those who use drugs – an idea which the City of Winnipeg’s council supports but the Progressive Conservative provincial government has been hesitant to allow. The eight in ten Winnipeggers who are in favour of a safe consumption site includes six in ten (59%) who strongly support this idea. Those in the Core area, women and younger adults are much more likely to express strong support for a safe consumption site. Those who back the provincial NDP are more than three times as likely as those who prefer the governing PCs to be strongly in favour of a safe consumption site in Winnipeg (82% vs. 24% and 64% among provincial Liberal supporters).

Meanwhile, more than three-quarters are in favour of designating certain areas as places where those experiencing homelessness can camp (78%, including 46% who strongly support this). Similar demographic groups are in favour of this measure, with men, older residents and homeowners much less likely to be enthusiastic about this idea. Again, NDP and Liberal supporters are also much more likely than PC supporters to be strongly in favour of setting aside these areas for those experiencing homelessness to use (56% and 52% respectively vs. 25% among those who back the PCs).

 

Disclosure Statement

Probe Research is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) and confirms that this research fully complies with all CRIC Standards including the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements. Learn more at: https://www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/standards/por/

Methodology

Probe Research surveyed a random and representative sampling of 600 adults residing in Winnipeg between September 8 and 18, 2022. With a sample of 600, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results are within ± 4.0 percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Winnipeg had been surveyed. The margin of error is higher within each of the survey’s population sub-groups.​

The sample consists of 236 Winnipeggers randomly recruited via live-agent operator, 208 Winnipeggers randomly recruited via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and 156 members of Probe Research's online panel. All respondents completed the survey on an online platform. 

Modified random digit dialing, including both landline and wireless numbers, ensured all Winnipeg adults had an equal opportunity to participate in this Probe Research survey.

Minor statistical weighting has been applied to this sample to ensure that age and gender characteristics properly reflect known attributes of the city’s population. All data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical analysis software.​