Winkler’s former mayor, Neil Schmidt, is among great company, as he has been named one of the recipients of the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal, a recognition of his lifetime of contributions to his community and beyond. This honour reflects his leadership, humility, and continuous efforts to give back to the community that shaped his life.
This award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada, and for Schmidt, the recognition comes as a surprise. "It's very humbling to know that I was awarded," Schmidt says. "I was really surprised."
Michelle Falk, who nominated her father, reflects on his dedicated leadership throughout his years on council and as mayor. "Thinking about my dad, it was a really significant time during his years on council and also as mayor," Michelle explains. "A lot of things were built and flourished during that time. Being a humble servant leader, that's something that really describes him."
Major developments in Winkler
Schmidt's leadership is tied to several key developments in Winkler. Falk highlights some of the most significant contributions her father made during his tenure. "One of the most significant things was declaring Winkler open for business," she says. "It was a really significant time of growth for Winkler. The industrial park was started and had a lot of growth."
Schmidt reflects on how his efforts helped expand Winkler’s industrial sector, particularly the creation of a new industrial park. "We knew we were running out of industrial land, and we didn’t want to stop industries from coming," Neil says. "So, we bought land in the R.M. of Stanley, and I’ve heard later from mayors that it was one of the best things we did."
In addition to boosting Winkler’s industrial sector, his leadership oversaw the construction of several important community buildings. Falk highlights the establishment of the new library, the conversion of the Winkler Mennonite Church into the PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall, and the creation of the Winkler & District Healthcare Board, which led to the C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre. "The biggest news probably was when Winkler became a city in 2002," she says. "That was a really significant moment."
A passion for service
When asked why he decided to run for city council and ultimately become mayor, Schmidt shares that it was simply a desire to give back to the community. "I had been involved before that, but here was a chance to do something for the city," he says. "That was the real reason."
Throughout his career, Schmidt has also been a member of the fire department, serving for 13 years, and he’s contributed to many other causes. Falk shares that her dad has gone above and beyond, even learning sign language to advocate for individuals who are deaf and volunteering with the Gideons, traveling to northern communities, Italy, and China to distribute Bibles.
Words of wisdom for future leaders
For those looking to better their community, Schmidt offers valuable advice: "If you do all you can to get what you want and don’t mind if somebody else gets the credit, that’s really significant," he says. "We just wanted to get things done and make the community better."
When asked what makes Winkler special to him, he affirms it’s the people. "Winkler is where people make the difference," he says. "It’s always nice to come home to a community that is safe and that you enjoy."
A well-deserved honour
Neil Schmidt will be officially presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in a ceremony in Carman on February 15th. The recognition is a testament to his many years of dedication and service to the community of Winkler.
With files from Ty Hildebrand and Jayme Giesbrecht