Winnipeg to hire firm to create mental-health crisis response, reducing police and paramedic calls.

Winnipeg city council has approved a contract with Pensa Consulting to develop a proposal for a new mental-health crisis response service, aiming to reduce non-emergency calls to police and paramedics. The initiative, introduced by Mayor Scott Gillingham, seeks to address the city’s roughly 21,000 annual well-being calls by providing trauma-informed, specialized support for crises without safety or medical threats. While some support the move as a step toward systemic change, fire-paramedic unions warn it could strain an already overburdened service. The final proposal is expected in 2026 and will require council approval.