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.

“But we also need to do more than just encourage women to run. We need to make sure municipal government is a place where people from all walks of life feel welcome, supported and able to contribute.”

Councils make better decisions when they have different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds at the table, said Knox, who secured a second term by acclamation, while elections were held in most of the province’s 137 municipalities.

Seven of 16 city council members who were elected in Winnipeg are women, up from five.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, AMM and other organizations have focused on encouraging women to enter and remain in municipal politics to close the gender gap in local governments.

AMM president Kathy Valentino, a city councillor in Thompson, said efforts to make gender parity a priority were reflected in Wednesday’s results.

FCM has cited a number of barriers, including a lack of support for families; intimidation and harassment, hurdles to mobilize financial and political support and perceptions of women’s career paths.

Melinda Warren, who won a four-candidate race to become the new mayor of the RM of Springfield, east of Winnipeg, said the number of women who were elected in Manitoba municipalities was “wonderful” news.

“Springfield is quite unique. I feel that women have always been a part (of the RM’s council) in probably the last 20 years,” she said.

In Steinbach, councillor-elect Greg Carlos will be the first visible minority to serve on council in Manitoba’s third-largest city.

“I feel excited because this is a new responsibility that I have in life and a new purpose. I thank God for everything. This is his will,” said Carlos, who is Filipino.

“(My supporters) gave me the opportunity to serve. This is not all about me. This is about serving the people of Steinbach.”

AMM said more than 825,000 votes were cast across Manitoba, up from 730,000 in 2022. A total of 1,419 candidates ran, up from 1,380 in 2022.

The winds of change swept through Thompson, Morden, the RM of St. Clements and several other municipalities where incumbent mayors or reeves were defeated.

Almost half of elected officials are newly elected (48.3 per ecnt, or 416 people), which is consistent with previous municipal elections, AMM said.

Former Thompson councillor Oswald Sawh unseated incumbent Colleen Smook, who was seeking a third term, to become the new mayor of northern Manitoba’s largest city.

“I’m humbled by the result and I look forward to the next four years and to working with my fellow councillor colleagues,” Sawh said.

“As I tell people, I’m one of nine votes, the mayor is, (on council). We need everyone on board and we need to all go in the same direction to make some real changes that I know are needed here in Thompson.”

Voters in the RM of East St. Paul, just north of Winnipeg, elected Mike Watson as their new mayor. Incumbent Carla Devlin finished third.

Rosalie Drysdale will be the new mayor of neighbouring St. Clements. Former Tory cabinet minister Alan Lagimodiere finished second. Debbie Fiebelkorn, the mayor for 12 years, was third.

Morden voters chose Ernie Epp to be their next mayor (incumbent Nancy Penner finished third). Thomas Mathews won Minnedosa’s mayoral contest, unseating incumbent Ken Cameron. The RM of Gimli’s next mayor is Daphne Markusson (incumbent Kevin Chudd was third).

In Stonewall, Clive Hinds will reclaim the mayor’s chair after facing incumbent Sandra Smith for the third straight election. Hinds became mayor in 2018, but lost to Smith in 2022.

Incumbent mayors didn’t seek re-election in some communities, including the RMs of St. Andrews, where Ken Doorbnos was elected, and Springfield, where Warren previously served as councillor.

“I’m really thankful to the residents, that they support me and trust me enough to put in this leadership,” she said while collecting election signs from supporters Thursday.

Other mayors were acclaimed after no one stepped forward to challenge them. They include Henry Siemens of Winkler, Earl Funk of Steinbach, Larry Johannson of Selkirk and Myron Dyck of Niverville.

Entire councils were acclaimed in several municipalities, including Altona and the Town of Lac du Bonnet.

AMM said 30.7 per cent of elected officials were acclaimed, down from 37.4 per cent in 2022.

chris.kitching@winnipegfreepress.com