Former city councillor Gord Steeves made it official. Followed by a couple dozen supporters, Steeves walked into the clerk's office Friday morning at city hall and registered to run for mayor of Winnipeg in the October election.
Steeves talked about improving relationships with other levels of government, and says he wants to bring trust back at city hall for citizens.
“In some cases, regrettably, I feel they don't really trust it, and that breaks my heart,” said Steeves.
The candidate said he does not want to raise taxes to pay for priorities like crumbling infrastructure. Steeves says there are other ways to raise revenue.
“The citizens of the City of Winnipeg give this city $1 billion each year. That ought to be enough,” he said.
Instead, Steeves says city hall needs to better prioritize where taxpayer money goes. “What happened was a dynamic of ribbon-cutting politics where millions, tens of hundreds of millions, was being spent on projects based on elections.”
Mayor Sam Katz has been dogged by cost overruns with the new police headquarters and fire stations. Katz, who says he'll make up his mind on his future in the summer, had little to say in response to Steeves’ comments.
“I'm going to suggest that there may be the opportunity to, during a debate for mayor, we'll have to have those discussions,” said Katz.
Steeves could have company in the race from other former city hall colleagues seriously considering a run, including St. James Coun. Scott Fielding.
“I can tell you that I'm inching my way closer to being a candidate, for sure,” said Fielding.
Charleswood Coun. Paula Havixbeck may also declare her candidacy. “Definitely more towards yes, I would say,” she said.
For now, Steeves says he won't lay blame for the city's woes on anybody he might be running against. There's time for that - the election is months away.
Other notable people eyeing a run for mayor include former Katz opponent Judy Wasylycia-Leis and privacy lawyer Brian Bowman.
- With a report by Jeff Keele
