Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg MB – A Manitoba NDP government commits to funding 40 firefighters for a new fire hall in Waverley West to ensure families in Southwest Winnipeg and the surrounding communities have emergency services close to home.

“Communities like Bridgwater and Waverley West are growing rapidly, but emergency services haven’t kept up,” said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “For years, Heather Stefanson has ignored families in Waverley as wait times have become worse. The Manitoba NDP will always work for Waverley and its communities, and we will make sure you get the emergency services you need.”

Waverley West currently does not have a permanent firehall, despite being in need of one for many years. In 2019, media reported emergency response times in the area were 11 minutes and 12 seconds, nearly five minutes longer than national standard. But for years, Brian Pallister and Heather Stefanson took no action to address this crisis. The City of Winnipeg in its Strategic Direction committed to building a Waverley Fire Hall by 2025.

“Every second counts in an emergency, but right now response times in Waverley West are too long and dedicated staffing is long overdue,” said Tom Bilous, President of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg. “Wab Kinew’s commitment today is very welcome and will make a big difference for people in Waverley. I’m 100% behind his plan.”

The Manitoba NDP commits to collaborate with the City of Winnipeg to provide operating funding for the new firehall once it’s built.

“Jon Reyes didn’t do anything for seven years to bring better emergency services to Waverley families,” said NDP candidate for Waverley, David Pankratz. “As a firefighter myself, I know how important it is to have properly staffed fire trucks in every neighbourhood. With Wab Kinew and the Manitoba NDP team, I will make sure Waverley families have access to the emergency services they need – we will get the job done.”

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