Winnipeg voters head to polls for mayoral, council and school board elections

Winnipeg residents went to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new mayor, city councillors and school trustees. The mayoral race featured incumbent Scott Gillingham and former city councillor and Progressive Conservative MLA Kevin Klein.

During a recent mayoral debate on 680 CJOB, Gillingham said he intends to continue the city’s growth and build on recent momentum, while Klein emphasized addressing public-safety concerns and improving transparency.

"We will hire additional emergency service workers, expand the joint initiative with Winnipeg police to tackle open drug use and grow the fourth emergency crisis line," Gillingham said.

"My plan is to make Winnipeg the safest city in Canada through a four-year public-safety program developed by a task force of community leaders and former police officials," Klein added.

Gillingham’s platform also includes a proposal to ask council to freeze water and sewer rates in 2027. Klein pledged to appoint an independent ombudsman, hold bi-annual community meetings in all 15 wards and require recipients of city funding to report back to council by a set deadline.

Twelve candidates are contesting the mayoral seat, and at least five new faces are expected on City Hall, as several wards have no incumbent councillors running. In the Transcona ward, incumbent councillor Russ Wyatt, who faces criminal charges, will be challenged by four opponents, including a former councillor. Wyatt has denied any wrongdoing.

Eligible voters received a voter card with polling locations and must present a government-issued photo ID or two pieces of ID, one of which must show an address, such as a Manitoba Health Services card, Manitoba Blue Cross card, credit-card statement or utility bill. Polls were open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time.

Advance voting recorded 50,767 ballots, an increase of about 21 percent over the 2022 advance turnout, according to the City of Winnipeg. Results were covered by Global News with evening broadcasts and a live special on 680 CJOB after polls closed.