Lack of candidates in Manitoba municipalities is not healthy, outgoing Winkler mayor says
Southern Manitoba municipalities are gearing up for fall elections, but in areas where the current mayor or reeve is not running, some communities could be short on candidates.
It’s been a long time coming for Winkler Mayor Martin Harder — he’s hanging up his hat.
"I’ve had 16 years of this and it’s been a great ride. I’ve seen the community grow from a community of 7,800 people to almost 14,000 people.”
Harder is among several southern Manitoba politicians not seeking re-election this fall. Altona, Stanley, Dauphin and Winkler are a few of the places without an incumbent running.
It’s a big advantage to incoming candidates according to University of Winnipeg political science chair Aaron Moore.
“It’s actually a pretty significant impact," he said. "Incumbents in municipal elections are often very difficult to defeat. There are no political parties on the local level so people win based on name recognition.”
While the playing field is wide open for those running, many places only have a single candidate.
Moore said it’s normal in small communities, but could cause problems for larger communities in the region.
“People don’t have the same connections with the various candidates, councillors and mayor so some competition is necessary I think to ensure you have a full election and democracy.”
It’s an issue in Winkler, where as of Monday only one person is running for mayor — and six for councillor positions.
"I’m assuming we are going to have an election, but right now, the way the candidates have registered, there wouldn’t be an election – it would simply be acclimation which is not healthy," Harder said.
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is trying to make it easier for potential candidates to sign up, launching a new version of its election hub.
"It provides some pretty good insight into what's all involved in being on municipal councils, the time commitments, the difference in the different positions, etcetera," said Kam Blight, the president of the association.
For those considering running in their community, Harder offers this advice:
"First of all, they need to understand that they are there to represent the community at large, not their own pet peeve, not their own agenda," he said. "It’s the community and what’s the health of the community. You look at the investments you make in the community to make it more effective."
Manitobans can cast their ballots October 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Trump trial arrives at a pivotal moment: Star witness Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
India's mammoth election is more than halfway done as millions begin voting in fourth round
Millions of Indians across 96 constituencies began casting their ballots on Monday as the country's gigantic, six-week-long election edges past its halfway mark. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term with an eye on winning a supermajority in Parliament.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.