Winnipeg spends 24% of budget on police but plans to hire more tree pruners than officers in 2025

Although Winnipeg spends more money on policing than any other service, the city plans to add more staff in 2025 to libraries, transit and forestry, among other spending areas.

The preliminary version of Winnipeg's $1.4-billion budget for 2025 calls for the city to hire six more patrol officers this year.

While Mayor Scott Gillingham lauded that move when budget details were released in December, the city actually plans to add more full-time staff equivalents to half a dozen other budget areas.

According to the budget, the city intends to hire more 27 Winnipeg Transit workers in order to expand bus service into newer suburbs, 24 more firefighters to be stationed in Waverley West and 12 more library staff in order to expand library hours.

The budget also calls for eight more full-time staff equivalents devoted to maintaining trees on city-owned land.

"The city put its money where its mouth is when it comes to trees," said Christian Cassidy, executive director of Trees Winnipeg, a non-profit organization.

"You're going to have more tree pruning, tree removal — which everyone hates but is a necessary evil — and tree replacement."

The end result is Winnipeg is about to hire more people who carry shears and chainsaws than workers armed with pepper spray, batons and firearms.

"I assume it's a little easier to get tree pruners than it is trained police officers," quipped Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes, who is serving as Winnipeg's acting mayor while Gillingham is on holidays.

City council will scrutinize Winnipeg's 2025 budget at a series of meetings over the next few weeks. Councillors vote on the budget at a special meeting slated for Jan. 29.