On the latest episode of Winnipeg Votes 2026 on U Multicultural Channel, host Graham McDonald sat down with Kelly Ryback, Winnipeg City Council candidate for St. James, for a wide-ranging conversation about crime, homelessness, city spending, transit, infrastructure, and the future of the ward.
Ryback, who finished second in the 2022 St. James council race, says his priorities have sharpened over the past four years.
“We haven’t moved the yardsticks on addressing homelessness, addictions, poverty, and crime,” he said. “We haven’t moved the yardsticks on improving the city’s performance.”
Drawing on years of speaking at City Hall and community advocacy, Ryback argued that Winnipeg faces an urgent need for collaboration between municipal, provincial, federal, Indigenous, and community organizations. In his view, the city cannot tackle homelessness and addictions alone.
His comments were shaped not only by policy discussions but also by hands-on experience. “I’ve been a volunteer at Agape Table for over three years,” Ryback said, noting that demand for services continues to climb. He described witnessing increasing hardship on Winnipeg streets firsthand.
Infrastructure remains another major concern. Ryback pointed to potholes, deteriorating sidewalks, and long-standing repair delays that affect seniors, wheelchair users, cyclists, and families across the city.
Transit was also a central focus. A longtime critic of Winnipeg’s transit redesign, Ryback argued that officials failed to adequately test the system before implementation. He cited examples where routes became longer, transfers increased, and public feedback was overlooked.
When discussing public safety, Ryback repeatedly returned to one theme: residents need to feel secure in their own neighborhoods. He shared a personal story about a late-night attempted entry at his home and said many residents no longer feel comfortable using public spaces or shopping areas they once frequented.
Looking ahead, Ryback said success would be measured by a simple outcome.
“I want you to feel comfortable in your neighbourhood and enjoy your neighbourhood,” he told St. James residents.
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