Opposition greets news of Winnipeg as 2023 police, fire games host

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This article was published 15/07/2022 (1482 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It is being billed as the largest sporting event ever to be held in Manitoba.

First responders, stakeholders and politicians gathered at True North Square Friday to announce Winnipeg will play host to the 2023 World Police & Fire Games, which is expected to bring 8,500 competitors to the city and generate an economic impact of $85 million.

By comparison, the 1999 Pan Am Games attracted 5,000 athletes and just over 3,000 people participated in the 2017 Canada Summer Games.

“Many citizens interact with these law enforcement, police officers and firefighters on some of their worst days. This event will highlight the person behind the badge; the person behind that helmet,” said Chad Swayze, a Winnipeg firefighter and chairman of the 2023 host society.

But not all who attended the event kickoff were there to show support.

“We think that it’s a really crass response to many years of organizing in the city against police,” said protester James Wilt.

“It’s really kind of spitting in the face of all the work that community members have done.”

Wilt, 31, is a member of Winnipeg Police Cause Harm, a local police abolitionist group. He and around 20 others chanted in unison and booed as stakeholders took the stage.

The biennial games is an Olympic-style event open to active and retired firefighters and law-enforcement personnel worldwide.

In November, city council agreed on a $17-million operating budget as host. The provincial and federal governments and Tourism Manitoba will subsidize roughly half of the cost.

Wilts called it a waste of public funds, adding the city should spend the money on public services such as affordable housing and safe injection sites.

He also disputed the city’s estimate the games could generate $20 million in direct income for local businesses, saying most of the money would end up in the hands of hotels and private corporations.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, Winnipeg acting deputy mayor Coun. Markus Chambers and Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid disagreed, describing the athletic competition as an opportunity to celebrate first responders and boost Manitoba’s economy.

“When we work together as government, good things happen for our community,” Duguid said, gesturing toward Chambers and Stefanson.

Winnipeg will host the games July 28 to Aug. 6, 2023. All events will be free to spectators.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca