Winnipeggers react to mayoral debate
Posted October 22, 2026 4:32 pm.
Many important topics were covered during Wednesday night’s mayoral debate, including an important discussion around property taxes.
All three candidates said they would be raising taxes in the next term if elected, and despite concerns about affordability, many voters CityNews spoke to, agree with it.
“If we want our city to grow and get into the next decade, let along century, we need to put some money behind it,” said Bethel Schreder, a Winnipeg voter.
Voters CityNews heard from Thursday say they prioritize the city being funded properly, for things like emergency services, and roadwork.
“I don’t mind it rising if its helping the community, I mean crime is going up, schools can use it, quality of our streets,” said Sofia Schmidt, a Winnipeg voter.
Joan Sinclain, another voter said, “I don’t see how you could ever freeze them because there’s such a demand to provide the services that people need.”
Connor Cameron says with cost of living continuing to skyrocket, he’d like to see more relief on his tax bill.
“Mayor should always put people first, regardless,” said Cameon. “A little frustrating, as a homeowner, I would expect the prices kind of stay the same a little bit, as a homeowner, at least for the next couple years, prices are expensive, groceries are expensive, property taxes, always expensive, never fun, gas.”
Candidates were asked if they would raise property taxes and their answer?
“For next year it will remain at 3.5 per cent, that’s in our multi year budget, it’s the last year of our multi year budget 2027, that’s set at 3.5 per cent already, we’ll keep it at 3.5% to keep that budget whole,” said Scott Gillingham.
Mike Vogiatzakis, said, “I want to do a tax freeze in 2027, absolutely, 100 per cent, and a tax freeze in 2028, more than likely, but once your in city hall and you look at the books and you can see what’s going on and you can talk to the professionals, then you can move on and withhold your promise.”
While Kevin Klein said, “There is absolutely a a hard cap that we will not go past, and we are going to release that entire platform will all the details on where the money’s going on Friday.”
Gillingham says he too will release a costed plan before the election, however, Vogiatzakis said he will not be releasing a costed plan on his promises.
