Political expert expects interesting ward battles in Winnipeg election
Posted October 25, 2022 7:32 pm.
Last Updated October 26, 2022 9:23 am.
It’s election eve in Winnipeg and all through the city, those seeking city council seats are eagerly waiting. One Winnipeg professor says there are a few wards he’s keeping an eye on.
“I think it’s been a very unique election,” Aaron Moore, a political scientist and chair of the University of Winnipeg’s department of political science.
“Things can stagnate if you have the same people on council.”
The Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood and St. James wards, which lost their councillors to bids for the city’s top job in Scott Gillingham and Kevin Klein are ones to watch, according to Moore. He says that’s where most of the action will be.
“That’s going to be very interesting. I think Charleswood-Tuxedo is probably going to be the most open one. You have somebody like Hal Anderson — who has a very well-known name — and that’s going to help him, but I’m not sure if that’s going to be enough.”
Moore will also be looking to see who comes out on top in the St. James Ward where it appears the main race is between former councillor Shawn Dobson and former mayoral candidate Tim Diack, calling it a competitive race.
The Transcona Ward is also one of interest, as Russ Wyatt — a former city councillor charged with sexual assault and who took a break from council to get sober — is trying to topple incumbent Shawn Mason.
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“It’ll be interesting to find out if he has any traction with voters anymore,” said Moore.
He also flagged the number of people running against Mynarski incumbent Ross Eadie as unusual, saying it’s not often that many people take on a sitting councillor.
“It’s called being an active politician. I just don’t want to see someone get in, I want to see someone actually create some leverage and create accountability,” he explained.
For community leaders like business-owner, community member and chair of the St. James Village Business Improvement Zone, Genevieve Grant, says whoever gets elected should be ready to work, especially on crime, public safety and city infrastructure.
“It’s nice if you’re a nice person to talk to, but I want to see protection over the tax dollars that we’re all paying,” said Grant.
She stressed whoever is elected, they have to be involved with people on the ground, as they know what issues should be getting the focus of City Hall.
“We meet once a month and we take two months off in the summer, it’s easy to put that on your calendar and make it a priority. That’s what I’d like to see. Showing up where your constituents are, is a priority.”
