Robert-Falcon Ouellette throws hat in mayoral ring

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This article was published 22/05/2014 (4153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s another candidate in the mayoral campaign.

Robert-Falcon Ouellette, program director of the University of Manitoba’s Aboriginal Focus Programs, today became the seventh person to say they are throwing their hat into the ring. He plans to officially announce on Friday.

Ouellette, who was raised in Calgary, said he decided to run because he has always paid attention to both municipal and provincial politics.

“I waited to truly get involved,” Ouellette said in a statement released today.

“I have spent by time speaking with citizens about their desires and dreams for our city and this has allowed me to better understand their unique perspectives.

“I want to lead these citizens.”

Ouellette joins former councillor Gord Steeves, lawyer Brian Bowman, Coun. Paula Havixbeck, Mike Vogiatzakis, Michel Fillion and Gordon Warren as candidates.

Incumbent mayor Sam Katz and former NDP MP and MLA Judy Wasylycia-Leis have not announced whether they will run or not.

Ouellette, who is married and has four children, will be speaking at the Caboto Centre on Friday at noon.

According to his biography on the U of M website, he has degrees in music, education and anthropology and works on issues including university entrance programs, Indian Residential Schools, the military and music.

Ouellette has been a professional musician, working with La Fanfarniente della Strada Gypsey Band in Quebec City for the past five years, and spent 15 years with the Canadian Forces after enlisting when he was 19.