Meet the candidates running for open seats on Winnipeg council

Winnipeg council chambers will look a whole lot different this fall.

Registration opened Tuesday to run for council in the municipal election.

And after Brian Mayes became the third councillor who announced they would not be seeking re-election, a number of candidates have already come forward seeking to fill the vacant seats.

River Heights-Fort Garry

John Orlikow was the first to announce he wouldn’t be seeking re-election, and his River Heights-Fort Garry ward has several new candidates, including former city planner Sara MacArthur.

“Well I’ve had a varied career from working in the private sector, to the education sector at Red River College and now I oversee Camp Stephens at the Y,” MacArthur said. “And having all these different experiences really put me to work effectively with a variety of people. I’m able to build consensus and find a common ground and really achieve results.”

MacArthur says she wants to focus on engaging young people in the ward and getting out to hear from residents what they want from a representative at city hall.

“I have some general themes that are important to me that I want to move forward, but really finalizing what those priorities are is going to be having conversations at every doorstep,” she said.

Also running in the ward is former executive director of Football Manitoba Ron East, who tells CityNews he intends to build safer neighbourhoods, fix roads, support local businesses, and protect the character of River Heights.

Orlikow’s longtime assistant Georgina Sabesky has also registered to run.

St. Vital

In St. Vital, Chris Sigurdson has thrown his name in the ring to replace Mayes. A 16-year school trustee and career lawyer, he says one of the key points of his campaign is focusing on crime and bringing a police station to the ward.

“Not just for public safety but a place for people to go to make reports, pick up things, tickets, all those sorts of things,” Sigurdson said. “It would be much easier to have something in our own community. We haven’t had that in a long time.

“I know the issues, I know the people, and I think I could do a very good job.”

Waverley West

Janice Lukes’ seat in Waverley West will also be up for grabs. She has endorsed Nafiya Naso, who has collaborated with the councillor for a year-and-a-half working on special projects in the ward.

“It’s not just an endorsement; it’s coming from someone who has seen how I work and how I deliver and how I show up for the community, so I’m very grateful for the endorsement,” Naso said.

Naso has experience in health care and as a small business owner. She says she is excited to get out and hear from residents what the next path for the ward should be.

“I am looking forward to connecting with the residents in Waverley West to hear their concerns and what their ideas are for the future of Waverley West,” she said. “So that will be my main focus, knocking on as many doors as I can.”

Winnipeggers head to the polls Oct. 28.