FORT ROUGE-EAST FORT GARRY council candidate Jeff Palmer believes Winnipeg is at a crossroads, and he speaks about it with the perspective of someone who has spent decades working in city planning, housing, and community development.
Speaking with Graham McDonald on Winnipeg Votes 2026 on the U Multicultural Channel, Palmer reflected on his decision to return to municipal politics after narrowly missing a council seat in 2018 by just 566 votes.
“It was a great experience,” Palmer said. “I enjoyed knocking on the doors of every constituent and talking with people about the issues and the opportunities.”
Since that campaign, Palmer has worked with Urban Systems and taught city planning at the University of Manitoba. He says conversations at thousands of doorsteps convinced him that residents feel City Hall is missing opportunities to improve quality of life.
One issue generating strong reactions is Winnipeg’s redesigned transit network.
“People are angry,” Palmer said. “What I hear is that people are disappointed with the decision and don’t feel like it’s benefiting them.”
He pointed specifically to Osborne Village, long known as one of Canada’s most densely populated neighbourhoods.
“If we can’t provide the best public transit in Osborne Village, then where can we provide public transit?” he asked.
Housing was another major theme. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in development and housing projects, Palmer argued that successful solutions require more than simply building new units.
“There’s no black and white answer to housing. There’s a million shades of gray,” he said.
Palmer highlighted the Bell Hotel redevelopment as an example of supportive housing done right and suggested Winnipeg needs “20 more Bell Hotels” to provide the range of housing options residents need.
He also called for stronger cooperation between municipal, provincial, and federal governments to address homelessness, addictions, and mental health challenges.
Looking ahead, Palmer wants Winnipeg to focus on reinvesting in established neighbourhoods, improving downtown vitality, expanding housing options, and growing the city’s tree canopy.
“We have to give people a reason to be downtown,” he said. “It’s the vibrant urban street life, the social opportunities, and the cultural opportunities that make cities thrive.”
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