McDonald's franchisee nominated to police board

A business owner hopes to raise his own concerns about repeated incidents of retail crime as a new member of the Winnipeg Police Board, while Winnipeg's mayor prepares to leave the oversight body.
Mayor Scott Gillingham has nominated Amit Kapoor to join the board that oversees the Winnipeg Police Service, pending a final council vote.
After being on the front lines of retail theft, Kapoor said he hopes to advocate on behalf of businesses in the new role.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Mayor Scott Gillingham has nominated Amit Kapoor, RIGHT, to join the Winnipeg Police Board that oversees the Winnipeg Police Service, pending a final council vote.
'There have been quite a few break-ins in my restaurants and people have come even in… broad daylight. Sometimes they are armed, and sometimes they're not, but they have threatened our guests as well as my staff,' said Kapoor, in an interview Tuesday. 'Once you're part of retail, you understand and you see what happens around you.'
Kapoor, whose company Kapson Family Restaurants Ltd. owns several McDonald's franchises across the city, believes retail crime began increasing seven or eight years ago and is not limited to a specific neighbourhood or type of business.
In addition to break-ins and threats, he said one of his employee's cars was stolen.
While his restaurants now have multiple cameras and alarms, the business owner said further measures are needed to address the nagging issue.
He said safety concerns have hurt some businesses and forced a few to close.
'I saw a couple of people shut their shops in downtown because of retail crime,' said Kapoor.
He declined to discuss specific changes he'd like the police board to pursue, noting he's still learning about the role he would like to take on.
In the meantime, Kapoor said he welcomes the business community's feedback on crime and safety.
Coun. Markus Chambers, chairman of the police board, said Kapoor will offer valuable insight.
'Given the fact that we're dealing with retail crime, it's great to have that perspective on the board and somebody that can speak to the issue that retailers are going through currently … He also provides another perspective in terms of being from the Indo-Canadian community,' said Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River).
The mayor noted Kapoor has been on the 'front line' of key public safety concerns.
'He's got a really good view and an understanding of what it means to work in the city of Winnipeg, run a business, the impact of public safety on businesses, and employees and customers. I know he'll bring a wealth of experience,' said Gillingham.
Kapoor will fill the seat recently left vacant when Kevin Selch's term expired.
Meanwhile, the mayor announced his own departure from the board.
During his 2022 election campaign, Gillingham promised to seek council approval to join the board, pitching the move as a way to help hold WPS accountable on crime-prevention strategies.
On Tuesday, the mayor said he's confident police Chief Gene Bowers is now tackling many of the goals Gillingham hoped to achieve as a board member.
'We have a chief… that really fulfils a lot of the vision that I laid out in my campaign platform, one who is a collaborative chief, one who is focused back on crime prevention,' he said.
Gillingham noted leaving the board will allow him to focus on other key issues.
'We have got to get the third phase of the north end (sewage treatment) plant (upgrade) funded. We've got to talk to the federal and provincial governments about other key infrastructure projects that are growth-enabling and trade-enabling, and that includes (expanding) Kenaston/ Route 90 and the Chief Peguis Trail extension. We've got the new Transit network that's got to be rolled out… I'm going to pour my time and energy into those matters,' he said.
While a member of city council is expected to replace the mayor, Gillingham said there's no set date for that appointment.
Weekday Mornings
A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day.
Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said he is 'strongly considering' seeking the role.
'With my justice background, I think that I could bring some value to the board. I'm interested and I'll contemplate (that) over the next couple of weeks here before council considers people,' said Duncan.
Prior to being elected, Duncan worked for Manitoba Justice in conflict resolution, often with youth as a councillor.
joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
X: @joyanne_pursaga
Joyanne PursagaReporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Winnipeg Free Press

33 minutes ago

• Winnipeg Free Press

S&P/TSX composite ends lower, U.S. stock markets mixed

TORONTO – Canada's main stock index lost steam through the trading day on Friday to close lower, while U.S. stock markets were mixed. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 8.43 points at 26,497.57. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 35.16 points at 42,206.82. The S&P 500 index was down 13.03 points at 5,967.84, while the Nasdaq composite was down 98.86 points at 19,447.41. The Canadian dollar traded for 72.84 cents US compared with 72.87 cents US on Thursday. The August crude oil contract was up 34 cents US at US$73.84 per barrel and the July natural gas contract was down 14 cents US at US$3.85 per mmBTU. The August gold contract was down US$22.40 at US$3,385.70 an ounce and the July copper contract was down two cents US at US$4.83 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Companies in this story: (TSX: GSPTSE, TSX: CADUSD)

The Market Online

39 minutes ago

• The Market Online

@ the Bell: Markets mixed as Trump eyes role in Middle East conflict

Equities trading in Canada's largest centre fluctuated between gains and losses on Friday, as strength in the financials sector was offset by declines in mining and energy stocks. This came after fears of immediate US military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict eased temporarily. On Thursday, the White House stated that President Donald Trump would decide within two weeks on whether the US would join Israel in the conflict. Meanwhile, US markets remained relatively flat. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller expressed a more optimistic outlook than Fed Chair Jerome Powell had earlier in the week, suggesting that inflation was subdued enough to allow for a potential interest rate cut at the Fed's next meeting. The Canadian dollar traded for 72.82 cents US compared to 72.97 cents US on Thursday. US crude futures traded $0.14 lower at US$75.00 a barrel, and the Brent contract lost US$1.55 to US$77.30 a barrel. The price of gold was down US$8.58 to US$3,365.42. In world markets, the Nikkei was down 85.11 points to ¥38,403.23, the Hang Seng was up 292.74 points to HK$23,530.48, the FTSE was down 17.15 points to ₤8,774.65, and the DAX was up 293.17 points to €23,350.55. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Cision Canada

an hour ago

• Cision Canada

David Sharpe to Appeal Ontario Capital Markets Tribunal Decision Citing Regulatory Overreach, Charter Violations, and Abuse of Process

TORONTO, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - David Sharpe, a nationally recognized First Nations legal and economic leader will appeal the findings and sanctions imposed in the recent decision of the Ontario Capital Market Tribunal. Mr. Sharpe, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, former Chair of the First Nations University of Canada and past CEO of Bridging Finance Inc., did not participate in nor was he present during the course of the hearing. He adopted this position in light of the summary dismissal of his motion to stay the proceedings which ignored the Tribunal's finding that OSC staff had unlawfully disclosed his compelled testimony causing irreversible harm to his career and reputation. Brian Greenspan, counsel on behalf of Mr. Sharpe noted that "This appeal not only relates to Mr. Sharpe—it engages the right of every Canadian to be protected from abuse of state power. When a public agency violates the statute which governs its operation, admits the violation and yet no remedy or accountability is provided, fundamental fairness and confidence in the adjudicative process is jeopardized." The appeal also raises issues of systemic discrimination including the failure of the OSC to investigate Mr. Sharpe's written complaint of racism. The focus of the appeal is whether "public bodies can break the law and then change the law after the fact to justify their actions. That is not how the rule of law should work in a democracy."