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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.