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
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.