Postal workers can wear their N95s at work — but only with a company mask on top

Voter turnout in mayoral race about 38 per cent

Voter turnout in Wednesday’s mayoral contest in Winnipeg was 38 per cent, based on a Free Press analysis of unofficial results.

The city has not yet provided a figure for overall turnout for the municipal and school board election.

Incumbent Scott Gillingham won a second term with 39.82 per cent of the vote. He was followed by Kevin Klein (20.71 per cent), Noah Redden (19.84 per cent) and Mike Vogiatzakis (9.66 per cent) in a field of 12 candidates.

Unofficial voter turnout within the city’s 15 wards ranged from 26 per cent (Point Douglas) to 46 per cent (River Heights-Fort Garry).

Multi-year budget to force councillors, bureaucrats to focus on the big picture

City hall is putting the final touches on the 2019 preliminary budget -- but the real tough job will start after that.

The city is committed to developing a four-year budget beginning with 2020, and having it in place by the end of this year.

It's a process that is filled with uncertainties, trying to balance four successive annual budgets at the same time, using assumptions on revenues and expenses that can change without notice: a provincial government that has frozen funding to city hall at 2016 levels and is reluctant to disclose annual funding commitments or share in unexpected revenues; erratic fuel prices; a possible change in government in Ottawa, which could bring new spending priorities. And in the middle of that four-year span, another civic election where new members of council may have other priorities than those laid out by the current crop of office holders.

Municipal governments across Manitoba are required to approve their annual operating and capital budgets by the end of March each year. But the criticism of decision-making at city hall has been that all the decisions are made on a year-to-year basis, keeping voters happy with an eye on the next election.

Election results: School trustees 2026

Below you’ll find live 2026 election results for school trustees in Winnipeg divisions.

We can display results only for wards in which Winnipeg voters cast a ballot; we do not have access to live results reporting for school boards outside of Winnipeg.

Longtime councillor Eadie ‘knew it was going to be close,’ but expected to finish on top in Mynarski

Ross Eadie knew his re-election bid would be close, but he didn’t anticipate losing in the neighbourhoods where he grew up.

The 16-year Mynarski councillor, who was defeated Wednesday by political newcomer Natalie Smith, said Thursday the result was difficult to accept because some of his strongest losses were in Luxton, St. John’s Park and surrounding neighbourhoods.

“I knew it was going to be close,” Eadie said. “But I thought it was going to be close with me in first place.”

“I really lost it where I live. So that’s the worst part of it.”

Record number of women elected in Manitoba municipal elections

A record number of women were elected to municipal office in Manitoba in elections held across the province Wednesday.

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities said 213 of 339 women candidates were voted in, accounting for almost 25 per cent of elected municipal officials — up from 20 per cent in 2022.

Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox, who applauded the increase, said there has been progress to reduce barriers that impede women’s participation in local government, “but I don’t think we’re where we need to be yet.”

“I think representation matters. When women see other women sitting around council tables, chairing meetings and taking on leadership roles, it helps them see themselves doing the same thing,” she said.

Postal workers can wear N95s — with a mask on top

OTTAWA - Canada Post says its employees will be able to wear their own N95 masks at work, but only if they wear a disposable medical mask provided by the corporation on top.

Some postal service employees doing tasks with a greater risk of catching COVID-19 — for example working in a pair to unload a van inside — are being given N95 masks, but a "fit test by a qualified professional" is required before they can be worn.

The Crown corporation drew criticism last week for refusing to let employees bring their own N95 masks to work.

It said employees had to use a Canada Post-issued non-medical cloth or disposable medical mask, or they would be sent home.