In this episode of WINNIPEG VOTES 2026, host Graham McDonald spoke to Mike Vogiatzakis, a Winnipeg funeral director and businessman running for mayor. His campaign emphasizes public safety, changes to transit and permitting, and support for small businesses.
Vogiatzakis said his brother’s death motivated him to enter the race and push for changes at city hall.
“I wanted to run for mayor to make change in Winnipeg in my brother’s memory.”
Vogiatzakis proposed a facility combining temporary housing, addiction and mental-health treatment, and job training for people living in encampments. Residents would be required to participate in programs. He said the project would involve municipal, provincial and federal governments, but would release further details later.
“We’ll train you, and we’ll make you feel like somebody cared.”
He also opposed supervised consumption sites, arguing that the focus should be on helping people stop using drugs.
Vogiatzakis wants a police cadet apprenticeship, with trainees taking reports of minor incidents and patrolling neighbourhoods before progressing to more advanced duties.
He proposed similar pathways for paramedics and firefighters to reduce pressure on emergency responders, working with unions.
Vogiatzakis also wants private security companies to help patrol parks while the cadet program develops. He suggested additional training or deputization could give security personnel greater authority.
On transit, Vogiatzakis said he would bring together transit management, the union and the premier within his first 30 days to discuss repairing the system and reversing route changes where possible.
“The citizens have spoken. They’re saying we’re not happy with the system.”
He proposed a mandatory “safety bus pass” that passengers would scan to board, allowing a transit control centre to identify who was on a bus if a violent incident occurred. He said the information would be kept secure and used only by the control centre.
The pass would also provide access to enclosed bus shelters equipped with cameras, brighter lighting and panic buttons. Vogiatzakis wants businesses to fund the shelters in exchange for several years of advertising.
Vogiatzakis proposed two or three years of tax relief to attract businesses downtown, along with two hours of free parking to encourage shopping and restaurant visits.
Vogiatzakis called for faster permits, including same-day approvals for straightforward projects and a library of pre-engineered designs for garages and other construction. He said a dedicated office should help prospective business owners confirm zoning and building requirements before signing leases.
“It’s the city of Winnipeg’s job to serve the people in the city.”
He favours warnings and guidance before fines for residents unfamiliar with bylaw requirements.
On roadwork, Vogiatzakis said he supports paying overtime for round-the-clock construction and imposing deadlines and financial penalties on contractors who fall behind.
“Twenty-four-hour construction is worth paying the price.”
Although he criticized the decision to reopen Portage and Main to pedestrians, Vogiatzakis said he would leave the intersection as it is for now and assess how it works.
“Right now, I’m gonna leave it as is, and we’re gonna work with it, and we’re going to see what the future brings.”
To learn more about Mike Vogiatzakis, his candidacy, and his positions, check out the full interview on U Multicultural Channel 14 in Manitoba, Bell MTS channel 1029 in Winnipeg, U Radio on 88.7 FM in Manitoba and U Multicultural’s YouTube channel.
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.
Graham McDonald, U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centre