Former Winnipeg city councillor Kevin Klein to enter mayoral race

With less than two months to go until Winnipeg’s municipal election, Kevin Klein says he’s about to throw his hat in the ring to become the city’s next mayor.

The former city councillor and provincial cabinet minister says he intends to register as a mayoral candidate.

“I know from day one, I am running uphill,” said Klein.

Klein previously ran for mayor in 2022, finishing third behind Scott Gillingham and Glen Murray. He says another run wasn’t initially in his plans, but after hearing from Winnipeggers and recovering from a health issue that delayed his announcement, he says he decided to enter the race.

“If I thought things were better, I wouldn’t be running,” he said. “But I honestly don’t think they’re better. They’re not as good as they can be.”

Klein says public safety, transit and how the city spends taxpayers’ money will be among his priorities, with a more detailed platform expected in the coming days.

“I want to make Winnipeg public safety number one,” he said. “I want to make our transit system good. I want to make sure that we’re spending tax dollars wisely. I want to make sure that we’re transparent with people. And I want to keep my word.”

Klein’s last role in politics was as a Progressive Conservative MLA for Winnipeg’s Kirkfield Park after he won a byelection in December 2022. He was defeated in the provincial election the following October.

He previously served as city councillor for Winnipeg’s Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood from 2018 to 2022.

Klein is currently president and CEO of the company that operates the Winnipeg Sun. He says he has stopped writing columns and would leave that position if elected.

‘It’s disrespectful. It’s a lie.’

Klein’s life in the public eye hasn’t been without criticism and controversy.

In 2023, while he was serving as Manitoba’s minister of environment and climate, questions were raised about Klein’s Metis status. Klein had previously said he is Metis on his social media and internet profiles, and the Manitoba government’s listing of cabinet ministers at the time described him as Metis.

And the previous year, during the 2022 municipal race, Klein was repeatedly reminded of his earlier links to convicted sex offender Peter Nygard. Klein worked for Nygard for a few months in 2012.

That brief association was revisited Tuesday in a statement — described as a “warning” to Winnipeggers — by Gillingham’s camp, which called Klein a “toxic mayoral candidate.”

“Kevin Klein is notorious for his work as a Caribbean political fixer for Peter Nygard – and that’s just one of many controversies from his career,” Gillingham said. “Members of every political party have been targeted by Klein’s constant attacks and personal criticisms. At a point when the governments of Canada and Manitoba are collaborating with Winnipeg on major priorities, electing Klein will send a signal to close those doors of cooperation.

“Winnipeggers deserve to hear a full recap of Mr. Klein’s past before they vote on October 28th.”

Klein accused Gillingham of starting a “smear campaign based on false information.” Of the statement, Klein said: “Its a falsehood. It’s disrespectful. It’s a lie.”

Klein pointed to times he has supported decisions made by politicians from other parties and opposed decisions made by his former Progressive Conservative government.

“I think my record speaks for itself,” the former councillor said. “I will be able to get along with all governments at all levels of all stripes.”

Klein says he doesn’t want the campaign focused on personal attacks, arguing candidates should instead be judged on their records and plans for the city. He also says he wants to support Indigenous economic development, while addressing public safety, homelessness and addictions.

“I want to go into this election and let people know that I won’t make change just for press releases or speaking points. We will make change that makes sense,” he said.

Nomination papers are due Sept. 22.

There are 11 candidates currently registered as mayoral candidates: Gillingham, Christopher Calcio, Michael Vogiatzakis, Umar Hayat, Mazher Alam, Don Woodstock, Joshua Pagdato, Johnny Calderon, Noah Redden, Zachary Uminski, and Brad Gross.