Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham speaks with media after the release of the provincial budget in the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham is advancing plans to create a fourth emergency response service focused on mental-health crises, aiming to ease pressure on police and improve support for residents in distress.
The proposed Winnipeg Community Crisis Response Service (WCCRS) would handle many of the growing number of 911 calls involving mental-health concerns that do not require police, fire, or paramedic intervention. Wellbeing checks are currently the Winnipeg Police Service’s most common call type, with more than 21,000 last year.
Gillingham is bringing a motion to the executive policy committee to work with Pensa Consulting Inc., led by Dr. Maria Cotroneo, to develop a detailed proposal for Council. Cotroneo previously held senior roles with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Manitoba government, specializing in mental health and community wellness.
The citywide, non-police response model would be community-led and designed to complement existing emergency services, according to Gillingham. The development process will also examine how crisis responders would work with community partners, the health-care system, and 911 operations.
A full proposal will be presented to city council once the work is complete.
