Winnipeg Beach mayor resigns effective immediately

The Town of Winnipeg Beach is without a mayor after a surprise resignation.

Pam Jackson tendered her resignation as mayor Wednesday evening at the town’s council meeting. She was elected Mayor in 2022 with 90 per cent of the vote.

The resignation comes amid rising tensions on council.

“I’ve been put in the untenable position of having to choose between my health or continuing my duties for this town,” Jackson said in a message to council. “After much consideration and with very deep sadness, I hereby submit my resignation as your mayor effective immediately.” 

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Jackson told council she had developed a medical issue – a herniated disc - which required strong medication and reduced activity to manage the pain. That included not being able to sit for more than 15 minutes.

She said her health-care providers recommended she take time off in order to heal.

Jackson had requested a medical leave of absence at a council meeting earlier this month. She told council the leave would not exceed three months.

However, that request was denied when three members of council – Councillors Barry Hoel, Doug Jarvis and Larry Kisiloski – voted against it. They argued at the time Jackson could work remotely and still fulfil her duties as mayor.

“I have loved my time working with this community. I want to thank the community for giving me the honour and the privilege of working for you,” Jackson said when submitting her resignation.

Jackson then stood from her chair, hugged the town’s CAO and Deputy Mayor Jean Gendron, and left the council chambers.

Deputy Mayor Gendron declined an interview, but sent a statement to CTV News Winnipeg the following day.

“The Town of Winnipeg Beach has lost a dedicated, intelligent, and engaged leader who wanted nothing but the best for her community,” the statement reads. “The Mayor had ambitious goals for our community, but unfortunately had her tenure cut short due to medical circumstances.”

‘Very disheartening’: residents disappointed with council

Several residents CTV News spoke with said – regardless of how they feel about the mayor – they were disappointed with how council handled the situation.

“I’m proud of her for standing up for herself, but very disheartening. It seemed like she was getting attacked. Bullied in a sense,” said Michelle Pelletier, a permanent resident in the area for the past four years. “That is just my opinion on that, but it is very disheartening.”

It was a thought shared by resident Marc Gregoire.

“Seems a little bit bizarre,” he said, adding he felt council should have allowed Jackson to take a medical leave.

CTV News has reached out to the three councillors who voted against Jackson’s leave. Councillors Hoel and Kisiloski were not available for an interview.

Coun. Jarvis has not yet responded to CTV’s request for comment.

Mayor’s resignation will trigger byelection

Jackson’s departure will trigger a byelection to find a new mayor for Winnipeg Beach.

In an email to CTV News Winnipeg, the town’s CAO Sharon Desiatnyk said the Senior Elections Officer (SEO) will be authorized to start that process. However, due to the high percentage of seasonal voters, they said it will likely not happen until next summer. 

"Until I have had a conversation with the SEO I cannot project an expected election date,” Desiatnyk said in the email. “There are options available to ensure maximum voter participation…but again it is too premature to discuss.”

In the meantime, Deputy Mayor Gendron will chair council meetings.