Civic Election in Winnipeg 2022 Part 1

Brian Bowman was elected in 2014 and in 2022 will have served a full two teams. Some time ago the mayor announced he would not be running again giving a year and a half or more to prepare for potential candidates. Nearly no one took up the mantle. At least publicly. In fairness, Bowman himself did not announce he was running until May of 2014, six months before the October election.

It takes a while to announce a candidacy for many. Presumably, most have to discuss with family, take time off whatever work, retirement or home situation they are in, measure the risk of not being able to return to that situation, judge how much money, organization and support a candidacy with garner and lastly, think on what reason you are running for. 

While running for mayor without prior political office is common in Winnipeg, it is extremely difficult to gain traction and recognition or be taken seriously as a candidate. Presumably money helps. But what the message is and where the money is spent is important. Social media presence should not be presumed to be a key to office. It is just as likely to be a lightening rod and a time waster than a vote getter.

One candidate announced early. His name is Shaun Loney and has started several social enterprises. He is a NDP member and for a very long time the NDP has tried to capture the mayor's office to no success. He is distancing himself from the party but the connections are as important as those with Conservative and Liberal connections insofar as how influence of policy, money and associations go. Perennial candidate Don Woodstock has also tossed his hat in the ring.

It is an open seat for mayor which could draw the most candidates in a decade for the job. This means that the debate stage may feature two dozen people with some perennial candidates who could be just polishing their brand. Historically, some candidates could be charitably called eccentrics while others are activists. No matter, in terms of debates, organizers are under no obligation to invite two dozen people to a stage and no more than a minute or two of engagement. Candidates could outright refuse to be part of a spectacle. Some way of determining public debate qualifications should be determined. That could be public opinion polls or completion of questionnaires to qualify for the debate.

One of the reasons we don't see more City Councillors run is because they have to to quit their Council job to run for mayor. I believe this would never survive a constitutional challenge but no one has ever attempted it. The list of Councillors saying they won't run is long. Resigning their Council seat is a major fact in staying put. But an open seat is too big a chance for some on Council to pass up. This is why John Orlikow in River Heights-Fort Garry has indicated he is running.

The announcement now is to discourage other Councillors from entering the race. It likely won't stop at least a few other Councillors from trying. Kevin Klein from Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood will likely announce soon. Scott Gillingham St. James is also on that trajectory. But then so is Markus Chambers  St. Norbert-Seine River. It remains to be seen if one of these four lose their nerve before the May 1st lick off to registering as a candidate. If not, all four seats will have to be vacated before they can officially run. That would leave four open Council seats and they don't come around too often either.

Early days yet but a lot of open seats should bring out a full house. The question is: Will anyone be able to figure what any of the numerous candidate's platforms are? Will it even matter?