The 2026 Winnipeg Civic Election

The city election is October 28, 2026. On May 1st of the year, candidates can begin raising and spending for their campaign. Two candidates who have previously run have indicated they will be back in the race. Don Woodstock and Mike Vogiatzakis have indicated they will run. The two businessmen have issues rated to crime that could be compelling running against Scott Gillingham.

The last election had candidates across the spectrum of left and right. Former mayor Glen Murray took a shot and came close to winning it. Perhaps Shaun Loney split the progressive vote with Murray. The Gillingham win was a narrow one. The election was as wide open as they come.

The incumbency factor in civic politics is one of the toughest when seeing competitive races. A sitting mayor is often in the job until they decide not to be. Incumbent councillors are reluctant to resign and run against incumbent mayors. They know it is an up hill battle. The present mayor had to leave his St. James ward to run for mayor. Unlike in the U.S. where a sitting senator can run for president and not resign from the senate unless elected president, our system doesn't not allow a MLA, councillor, MP or other elected official to run for mayor unless they resign from their old position. I'm convinced it would not stand a legal challenge but no one has ever taken it to court.

If no councillors step down, it is possible we see every person who stands for election re-elected. The voter turnout is so low and the public awareness of new faces is even lower. It is possible that nothing will remove the advantages of incumbency. I'm not in favour of term limits but perhaps allowing people holding other elected offices to run would bring competitive races to positions. Failing that, some form of ballot selection where voters pick their three top choices might work.

In the end it is the province that can change how city's function. And they don't seem too keen to change the dysfunction and lack of funding. It come down to a lack of trust. Some in the province likely think the city will overbuild highways and leave other aspects of the city to rot. The lack of trust between all governments is just not there. There is some evidence that between provinces and the Feds there has been a thaw. You would hope it would extend to cities like Winnipeg.

At the moment, the upcoming civic election will only produce a status quo.