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Civic Election 2010

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press Mayoral Candidate Robert-Falcon Ouellette announces his pothole plan at Memorial Park Sunday.

Ouellette plans to fund sewage plant upgrades with bonds, expanded levy

Aldo Santin 2 minute read Friday, Sep. 26, 2014

Mayoral candidate Robert-Falcon Ouellette says he’ll issue bonds and stake a share of an expanded container environmental levy to pay for needed upgrades to the city’s sewage treatment plants.

Ouellette said Winnipeg has a responsibility to stop dumping pollutants into the Red River that threaten Lake Winnipeg.

“A sustainable city is about making the most of scarce resources,” Ouellette said Friday morning during a news event on the lawn of the North End sewage treatment plant. “Ultimately, our goal should be to be as environmentally efficient as we can.”

Ouellette outlined a complex plan to pay for the treatment plant upgrades: he’ll convince the province and the container industry to increase the levy on disposable drink containers from two cents to 10 cents, with five cents being a refundable deposit, two cents continuing to go to the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association and the remaining three cents going to the city’s new environment fund.

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Steeves rules out increasing arts funding; Ouellette and Bowman pledge to increase it

Mary Agnes Welch 2 minute read Preview

Steeves rules out increasing arts funding; Ouellette and Bowman pledge to increase it

Mary Agnes Welch 2 minute read Friday, Sep. 26, 2014

Gord Steeves was blunt – no new funding for the arts.

Robert-Falcon Ouellette and Brian Bowman said the opposite, pledging more cash for the city’s creative community.

The rest of the candidates at a noon-hour mayoral forum landed somewhere in the murky middle.

Steeves said he values the arts but believeS the city budget is far too tight and taxes are too high to allow for a boost to arts funding.

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Friday, Sep. 26, 2014

Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg's current level of per-capita arts funding is $5.60, compared to the national average of $35.
Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg's current level of per-capita arts funding is $5.60, compared to the national average of $35.

Mayoral candidates debate downtown safety

By Mary Agnes Welch 3 minute read Preview

Mayoral candidates debate downtown safety

By Mary Agnes Welch 3 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2014

They agreed a roundabout at Portage and Main is a dumb idea, but that’s about the only thing the top five mayoral candidates settled on during a scrappy debate about the future of downtown.

Rapid transit plans were dissected. Candidates were accused of sowing fear about downtown safety, being flip-floppers or beholden to the provincial NDP. Robin Hood was invoked and one candidate even interrupted to invite everyone out to chat near his campaign motor home.

Wednesday night’s standing-room-only debate, hosted by the Downtown BIZ in the atrium of the Manitoba Hydro building, kicked off with a key issue – the perception the downtown is unsafe.

Gord Steeves, who reiterated his promise to crack down on panhandling and public intoxication, said he has no fear of being downtown. But the perception of danger, he said, is a legitimate barrier to the downtown’s growth.

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Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2014

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Gord Steeves, Paula Havixbeck and Robert-Falcon Ouellette mayoral debates at the Hydro building downtown.
BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Gord Steeves, Paula Havixbeck and Robert-Falcon Ouellette mayoral debates at the Hydro building downtown.

Steeves changes his mind on bus rapid transit and wants to kill the project

Aldo Santin 3 minute read Preview

Steeves changes his mind on bus rapid transit and wants to kill the project

Aldo Santin 3 minute read Monday, Aug. 25, 2014

Gord Steeves says it’s time to get off the bus.

He supported the bus rapid transit (BRT) project when he was a councillor and he supported completion of Phase 2 of the project in May when council was mired in a debate over the plan’s future.

But Steeves has reversed his decision and said it’s time to kill the project.

Speaking Friday from a spot near Parker Avenue in northwest Fort Garry — where the corridor is planned to go — Steeves said if elected mayor, he would introduce a motion to kill the $600-million project at the first council meeting after the Oct. 22 election.

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Monday, Aug. 25, 2014

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press
Mayoral hopeful Gord Steeves supported bus rapid transit when he was a councillor. Now, he says it is too expensive.
John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Mayoral hopeful Gord Steeves supported bus rapid transit when he was a councillor. Now, he says it is too expensive.

Hrynyk named school board chair

1 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010

WINNIPEG - Suzanne Hrynyk has been elected chair of the Winnipeg School Board.

The election took place at an inaugural board meeting Monday night. Trustee Kristine Barr was elected as vice chair.

Seven of the nine former trustee board members were returned to office: Joyce Bateman, Rita Hildahl, Jackei Sneesby, Kristine Barr, Anthony Ramos, Mike Babinsky and Suzanne Hrynyk.

They’re joined by newly elected trustees Darlyne Bautista and Cathy Collins.

Rural voting: Selkirk gets new mayor in major election upset

By Bill Redekop 2 minute read Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

DAVID Bell can say he's seen life from both sides now.

The psychiatric nurse at Selkirk Mental Health Centre, who pulled one of the biggest election upsets in 2002 to become Selkirk's mayor, had the tables turned on him Wednesday night.

Bell was bounced by local grocery store manager Larry Johannson.

People thought it would be close. Johannson, an assistant manager in the local Safeway store, is a popular man in Selkirk.

Vote’s over; it’s back to work for Katz

By Bartley Kives 3 minute read Preview

Vote’s over; it’s back to work for Katz

By Bartley Kives 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

On the first day of this third and supposedly final term in office, Mayor Sam Katz left the door open just a crack for a fourth.

Since 2006, Katz has said he would not seek more than two full terms in office. Taking part in a third election campaign this year did not violate that policy, as the mayor first took office by winning a mid-term byelection.

On Thursday, however, Katz mused he could run for office a fourth time if the public still supports him in 2014.

"I have told you I have always supported term limits," said Katz, confirming that right now he intends the new session of council to be his final term, but "we'll see" whether that might change.

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Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA
Sam Katz with girlfriend Leah Pasuta is congratulated on his win at the Radisson Hotel.
JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Sam Katz with girlfriend Leah Pasuta is congratulated on his win at the Radisson Hotel.

Voters send aboriginal school trustees packing

By Nick Martin 2 minute read Preview

Voters send aboriginal school trustees packing

By Nick Martin 2 minute read Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

After the ballots were counted, Winnipeg's two aboriginal school trustees were part of the campaign's casualties.

Sonia Prevost-Derbecker lost her seat in ward 3 of Winnipeg School Division, and Rockford McKay finished barely out of the running in the Silver Heights-Booth ward of St. James-Assiniboia School Division.

McKay was only seven votes out of third place, and is asking for a recount. "I've put in a call to city hall. I'm seeking a recount," said McKay.

No other aboriginal candidates won a school board seat, including Myra Laramee, the nationally honoured retired aboriginal educator who had the backing of the NDP in WSD's ward 2.

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Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

Prevost-Derbecker
Prevost-Derbecker

NDP taking another look at endorsement process

By Larry Kusch 3 minute read Preview

NDP taking another look at endorsement process

By Larry Kusch 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

Provincial New Democrats will likely re-examine a controversial process for endorsing candidates after seeing two party-backed members go down to defeat in NDP-friendly wards, the party's president said Thursday.`

However, Lorraine Sigurdson dismissed the notion that the defeats and mayoral candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis's loss to Sam Katz damaged the NDP brand or cast doubt on its chances in next fall's provincial election.

Sigurdson said the party's method of endorsing municipal and school board candidates -- which puts considerable power into the hands of small community endorsement committees and was hotly debated at last spring's NDP convention -- would have been reviewed in any case. It was used for the first time this year.

On Wednesday, incumbent Harvey Smith hung onto Daniel McIntyre despite losing his bid for the party nod to Keith Bellamy. Bellamy finished third in the race. Meanwhile, in Elmwood/East Kildonan, normally an NDP stronghold, Tory-affiliated Thomas Steen skated to victory over the NDP-endorsed Shaneen Robinson after Rod Giesbrecht (who had challenged Robinson for the party nod) sought office anyway, splitting the left-wing vote.

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Friday, Oct. 29, 2010

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES
NDP officials don’t think Judy Wasylycia-Leis’ defeat will hurt party’s chances in provincial election.
KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES NDP officials don’t think Judy Wasylycia-Leis’ defeat will hurt party’s chances in provincial election.

Ex-Jet scores seat on council

By Bruce Owen 2 minute read Preview

Ex-Jet scores seat on council

By Bruce Owen 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

Thomas Steen is the new Lillian Thomas.

The 50-year-old ex-Winnipeg Jet won by a close 216 votes over Shaneen Robinson, a former CTV reporter, Wednesday night in Elmwood-East Kildonan.

Steen replaces Thomas, city councillor for the area for almost two decades. "I feel overwhelmed and honoured to be elected," Steen said, at a victory party at his campaign headquarters.

"I'm as honoured as when they raised my jersey in the arena."

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Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Thomas Steen, the 50-year-old ex-Winnipeg Jet, won by a close 216 votes over perceived front-runner Shaneen Robinson.
TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Thomas Steen, the 50-year-old ex-Winnipeg Jet, won by a close 216 votes over perceived front-runner Shaneen Robinson.

Jubilant Eadie finally wins seat on council

By Melissa Martin 2 minute read Preview

Jubilant Eadie finally wins seat on council

By Melissa Martin 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

AFTER years of running, Ross Eadie can finally take a seat: the former school trustee is headed to city council for the Mynarski ward, seizing victory Wednesday in one of the city's most colourful contests.

Third time's the charm. Before this year's contest Eadie, a former school trustee and veteran NDP-backed candidate, ran for Old Kildonan's council seat twice. On Wednesday, running one ward to the south in Mynarski, Eadie finally landed the prize.

At Eadie's Polson Avenue and McGregor Street headquarters, about 30 friends, family and volunteers gathered to watch results come in. The mood turned jubilant early. "We know we're going to win," Eadie campaign manager Aaron McDowell said as poll numbers trickled in.

When the votes came in, they came in fast and furious. By the end of the hour, Eadie had won with 41 per cent of the vote; his closest challenger, conservative-leaning former software vice-president Jenny Motkaluk was second with 28 per cent.

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Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Ross Eadie (right) celebrates winning with campaign manager Aaron McDowell.
DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ross Eadie (right) celebrates winning with campaign manager Aaron McDowell.

Transcona

2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

TRANSCONA Coun. Russ Wyatt won his third term in office, easily defeating Vlad Kowalyk.

The so-called Mayor of Transcona gave an emotional speech at Dal's Restaurant where he credited the people of the ward for the victory.

"I'm passionate about this community," says Wyatt. "I believe it's (Transcona) the best community in Canada. I really believe that in my heart."

Kowalyk knew the maverick councillor would be tough to beat. The engineer and activist fought Wyatt on traffic issues and lack of green space.

St. Charles

1 minute read Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

GRANT Nordman was returned for a second term in St. Charles ward and vowed: "I'll be a better councillor for the next four years because of what I have learned, what I've experienced."

He wiped away tears as the vote tally came in. "It warms the cockles of your heart," he said.

Nordman is a longtime member of the Manitoba Conservative party and is the son of the late Ric Nordman, who was councillor in St. Charles from 1974 to 1981.

 

So-so turnout brings mixed result

By Mary Agnes Welch 4 minute read Preview

So-so turnout brings mixed result

By Mary Agnes Welch 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

CITY hall is once again split down the ideological middle, with one wild card who could control Mayor Sam Katz's fate: rookie councillor Devi Sharma.

There are four new faces -- Ross Eadie in Mynarski, Sharma in Old Kildonan, Thomas Steen in Elmwood-East Kildonan and Paula Havixbeck in Charleswood-Tuxedo -- but the left-right split that has existed for most of Mayor Sam Katz's administration remains. In fact, it could tilt ever so slightly to the left, depending on Sharma.

Katz is left with five traditional allies who were re-elected Wednesday night and two new councillors who will likely side with him -- Steen and Havixbeck, both Tories.

On the left, six opposition councillors were re-elected and can add Eadie, a New Democrat, to their ranks.

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Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA
Judy Wasylycia-Leis addresses her supporters Wednesday night following Mayor Sam Katz’s victory.
WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Judy Wasylycia-Leis addresses her supporters Wednesday night following Mayor Sam Katz’s victory.

Smith beats NDP, holds onto seat

By Carol Sanders 3 minute read Preview

Smith beats NDP, holds onto seat

By Carol Sanders 3 minute read Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

Incumbent Harvey Smith lost the NDP endorsement but won another term as councillor in Daniel McIntyre last night.

"It was quite a race," said the 73-year-old who has already served 18 years as a city councillor.

The ward had five strong candidates vying for the seat, some backed by the city's most experienced political operatives.

Early on, Smith said he had plenty of volunteers but without the NDP backing, fundraising was trickier this time around. Keith Bellamy, the assistant to area MP Pat Martin, wrestled the NDP endorsement away Smith.

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Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA
‘It was quite a race,’ said winner Harvey Smith. The 73-year-old has already served 18 years as the ward’s councillor.
BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA ‘It was quite a race,’ said winner Harvey Smith. The 73-year-old has already served 18 years as the ward’s councillor.

St. Vital

1 minute read Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010

The veteran KO'd the wannabe in St. Vital on Wednesday night.

Gord Steeves, who has been on Winnipeg city council for 10 years, won his fourth election, easily defeating Harry Wolbert by a margin of 14,960 to 3,207.

"I hope it means people have confidence in me. I hope it means people respect the kind of leadership I've offered St. Vital," Steeves said in a telephone interview.

Steeves' name has long been bandied about as a mayoral contender. But he said it is too soon to think about 2014.

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