Municipal Election 2022

A bid for a Portage la Prairie city councillor position has been made by Colin Doyle for the upcoming election in October. 

Doyle says he grew up in Portage and moved away after his graduation, and returned in 2015.

"I have a job here and it's a place I want to raise my family. So, I just want to be a part of making my town the best possible place it could be," says Doyle. "I'm definitely interested in public safety. It seems to be an issue not only in Portage, but that's kind of countrywide right now and that     would be one of my main focuses."

After some deliberation, Bill Hiebert has decided to run for re-election.

Hiebert has served on Steinbach's city council for one term.  

After Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris announced he would not seek re-election this October, residents have been wondering who will step up to fill his shoes. Current councillor Sharilyn Knox hopes it will be her.

The Ward Six councillor for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has decided to run for reeve.
    
Jim Funk has represented the Grunthal area the last four years. Prior to that, he spent two terms or eight years on the Local Urban District committee of Grunthal. 

Funk says after Hanover Reeve Stan Toews announced in May that he would not be seeking re-election, he was encouraged by other councillors and friends to run for that position.

The past four years in municipal politics has been especially challenging because of the pandemic and its impact on communities.

It’s anticipated that could result in fewer of the incumbents seeking re-election this October.

Kam Blight is President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and he says for the most part rural areas are holding their own and councils are finding ways to do more with less. “The pandemic really hurt due to public health orders causing recreation facilities to shut down and the loss of revenue.”

Michael Zwaagstra will be seeking a fifth term on Steinbach City Council in this fall's municipal election. 

Zwaagstra was first elected back in 2006. 

"I have certainly enjoyed my time on council so far. It has been a great opportunity to be a part of the decisions that are happening in the city and if I am re-elected this fall, I am hoping to be able to continue playing that role within our city."

The Mayor for Ritchot says he believes he still has a lot more to offer the residents in his municipality. Chris Ewen has announced he is running for re-election.

Ewen took over for Mayor in a byelection on July 19, 2017. He was re-elected one year later and is now wrapping up his first full term. 

Voters in the Town of Ste. Anne will see Yvan St. Vincent’s name on the ballot for mayor when municipal elections take place in fall. 

St. Vincent is nearing the end of his second term as a town councillor and currently holds the position of Deputy Mayor.

The Town of Ste. Anne will have a new mayor after the October elections.

Richard Pelletier has announced that his name will not be on the ballot for the role of mayor, a position he has held for eight years.

"I did two terms in Ste. Anne, we did very well. I enjoyed this,” he says.

But Pelletier is not ready to leave municipal politics. He is throwing his hat in the ring for a seat on council for the Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne.