Winnipeg city council sees biggest turnover in decades after election
Nine newcomers, including a city planner, a garden store owner and former school trustees, join Winnipeg's council, bringing it close to gender parity and the largest turnover since 1992.
Winnipeg voters elected nine new councillors on Wednesday, creating the most significant turnover on the 15-member council since the 1992 election and moving the body toward gender parity, with eight men and seven women. Five incumbents chose not to run and four were defeated, opening the door for newcomers from outside municipal administration.
City planner Jeff Palmer won the Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry seat after a previous run in 2018. He said he will apply his planning background to council decisions. Former city-hall official Sara MacArthur captured River Heights-Fort Garry, promising reforms to infill development, transit and the city’s tree canopy.
Garden centre owner Ray DuBois secured St. Norbert-Seine River, thanking the community for its support and noting a desire for a "fresh approach" to municipal government. Former school trustee Chris Sigurdson was elected in St. Vital, describing his win as an "overwhelming feeling" and emphasizing his readiness to learn and address local development and traffic concerns.
Retired Bell MTS manager Kelly Ryback defeated incumbent Shawn Dobson in St. James, having previously opposed a transit route overhaul and a golf-course sale. Former school trustee Greg McFarlane unseated Devi Sharma in Old Kildonan, while former Pembina Trails School Division trustee Jasmine Brar won Waverley West, citing rapid residential growth outpacing infrastructure.
Community-centre executive Lora Meseman captured Transcona, defeating long-time councillor Russ Wyatt, who is facing pending criminal charges. Natalie Smith, a community organizer, defeated Ross Eadie in Mynarski, describing her victory as a sign that residents wanted change.
Six incumbents—Evan Duncan, Cindy Gilroy, Emma Durand-Wood, Jeff Browaty, Vivian Santos and Matt Allard—retained their seats, preserving a measure of continuity amid the broader shift.