WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said he will not be seeking a third term as mayor.

The mayor announced his plans in a news conference Friday afternoon at City Hall.

“In my view, Manitoba has far too many career politicians,” he said. “I won’t be one of them.”

Bowman was first elected mayor in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. He is Winnipeg’s 43rd mayor, and the first Indigenous mayor in the city's history.

“It is such an honour to continue to serve, but I’m not looking to spend a career in elected office,” he said.

Bowman said in the remaining two years of his term, he will focus on assisting the city with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and working to improve the city.

“I’m going to keep coming here with the energy and the passion that I’ve tried to demonstrate over the last six years,” he said. “You can expect that for the last two years.”

Bowman said he is hoping in the coming weeks that people in the city begin thinking about running for mayor.

“I’m hoping this weekend, and in the coming weeks and the coming year, that there will be other people out there that have the integrity, the passion, and the vision to lead this city, can start having those conversations with their friends, and the families, and their colleagues to consider if public service is something they want to do.”

Bowman added in his opinion, elected officials should be more concerned about the needs of the community and the next generation of Winnipeggers, rather than focusing on the next election.

Bowman said he has “no aspirations” of running for office for another level of government.

“I think this is the best political office in Canada, to serve as Winnipeg’s mayor, and if you’re interested in making a difference in the community, this office is where it’s at,” he said.

Winnipeg goes to the polls again on October 26, 2022.