During an interview on Winnipeg Votes 2026 with Graham McDonald on U Multicultural Channel, Elmwood-East Kildonan council candidate Chris Sweryda presented a platform built around affordability, transportation, public safety, and community services.
Sweryda said his experience operating a community grocery program has given him a direct view of the challenges many residents face. “I see the struggles every day,” he said while describing the growing demand for affordable food options. What began as a small initiative has expanded to warehouse-scale operations, moving large volumes of groceries to residents at reduced cost.
Food security remained a recurring theme throughout the conversation. Sweryda argued that community grocery programs can fill the gap between traditional food banks and retail stores. “We created a bridge program for people that are struggling, but the food banks aren’t meeting their needs,” he said.
Transportation was another major focus. Sweryda sharply criticized Winnipeg’s 2025 transit redesign, calling it “a complete failure” and claiming many riders now face longer commutes and additional transfers. He advocated restoring previous routes and exploring lower transit fares to encourage ridership.
On infrastructure, he expressed concern about the condition of the Louise Bridge. Rather than supporting long-term rehabilitation, Sweryda argued that a full replacement would better serve residents and reduce future risks.
Public safety also featured prominently. Sweryda called for greater attention to retail crime, describing incidents he has observed while purchasing food for community programs. “We’re seeing basically professional thieves coming in with bins and walking out the back door with a thousand dollars worth of meat,” he said.
The candidate also discussed homelessness, supporting a harm-reduction approach that would include managed encampment options and stronger connections to social services.
Throughout the interview, Sweryda emphasized efficiency at City Hall and closer scrutiny of municipal spending. Drawing on his background in traffic safety research and previous work at City Hall, he argued that better oversight and practical decision-making could produce stronger results for taxpayers and residents alike.
Disclaimer: As part of U Multicultural’s 2026 Winnipeg Municipal Election Coverage, candidates were invited to share messages with our audience. The views expressed in this article are the candidate’s own, and this article does not constitute an endorsement by U Multicultural.
Yuliia Kovalenko, U Multicultural Journalism