Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party leadership candidate Wally Daudrich faced backlash after joking that releasing polar bears in downtown Winnipeg could help address the city’s homelessness crisis.
The comment was made during a speech on Wednesday evening at the Park West Inn in Winnipeg’s Charleswood area. Daudrich, who operates ecotours near Churchill, joked that polar bears, known for their presence in the region, could deter homelessness. “We have a homeless crisis here in Winnipeg,” he said. “In Churchill, we don’t have homeless people. Anyone take a guess why?” After a brief pause, he continued, “When there are serious consequences for bad behavior, people smarten up quickly. So my plan is to import 10 polar bears and let them loose in front of the legislature.”
The remark was met with laughter from some party members. However, one volunteer at a downtown mission serving the homeless found the joke in poor taste. Thomas Rempel-Ong, a four-year PC member, expressed his disapproval, calling the comment “disgraceful and unacceptable.” He also took issue with Daudrich’s characterization of homelessness as a “lifestyle,” noting that people often fall into homelessness due to job loss, addiction, or other factors.
Daudrich, who runs Lazy Bear Expeditions and Lazy Bear Lodge, later clarified that his statement was intended as a joke. “I don’t try to make my words airtight to avoid criticism,” he said in a Thursday interview. “If people want to criticize me, they should understand that no one is seriously suggesting moving polar bears.”
When asked to elaborate on his comments about homelessness, Daudrich mentioned drug addiction as a major factor contributing to the issue. “Homelessness is largely a result of drug addiction, and we need to address the drug problem in Manitoba, particularly in Winnipeg,” he said, adding that his Christian faith motivates him to care for all people, including the homeless.
However, Rempel-Ong rejected this explanation. “When you speak directly to people, that’s what you believe,” he said, implying that Daudrich’s revised stance seemed inconsistent.
End Homelessness Winnipeg, an Indigenous-led organization, criticized Daudrich’s remarks, calling them harmful and reinforcing stereotypes. CEO Jason Whitford emphasized that homelessness stems from systemic issues, such as a lack of affordable housing, mental health challenges, and trauma, not a “bad lifestyle.”
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs also condemned the comment, with Grand Chief Kyra Wilson stating that it displayed a “disturbing lack of empathy” for vulnerable people, particularly Indigenous individuals facing housing insecurity.
Daudrich’s remarks have sparked a public debate. His rival in the leadership race, Fort Whyte MLA Obby Khan, condemned the joke on social media, calling it a “sick joke” and “callous attack” on homeless individuals.
The Progressive Conservative Party is set to announce its new permanent leader on April 26, following former Premier Heather Stefanson’s resignation. Interim leader Wayne Ewasko currently leads the party, which serves as the Official Opposition to the NDP government in Manitoba.
