Auch to run as independent after claims of PC snub

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This article was published 03/03/2025 (211 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former Olympic speedskater will run as an independent in Transcona’s upcoming byelection after accusing the Progressive Conservative party of blocking her from seeking its nomination.

Susan Auch is among the four candidates vying to become Transcona MLA, a final list announced Monday by Elections Manitoba shows.

Also running are Tory candidate and former Transcona city councillor Shawn Nason, New Democrat hopeful Shannon Corbett and Liberal candidate Brad Boudreau.

Auch, who participated in multiple Winter Olympics and took home bronze and silver medals, claimed in a social media post late last month she spoke to the party about seeking the nomination and was told she needed 21 signatures from active PC members in Transcona. She said the party refused to provide a membership list, “banned” her from selling memberships and “gave me just 30 hours to complete the impossible task.”

PC party president Brent Pooles denied Auch was blocked, saying she didn’t get her signatures together in time and her application was not allowed.

The PC deadline for nominations to run was Feb. 20, two days after the March 18 byelection was called to replace NDP MLA Nello Altomare, who died on Jan. 14.

Auch could not be reached for an interview Monday.

The independent candidate will face an uphill battle, said Chris Adams, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Manitoba.

“There are many, many factors that are working against her as an independent candidate in this byelection,” Adams said Monday.

Nason served as Transcona’s councillor between 2018 and 2022 after former — and current — Coun. Russ Wyatt took a hiatus from politics. Wyatt bested Nason and reclaimed his council seat in the 2022 municipal election.

The constituency has been historically orange: four of its six representatives since 1969 have been New Democrats.

While the working class demographic has become more suburban in the last few decades and the Tories could stand a chance, Adams said an independent candidate winning is far-fetched.

“If (Auch) hopes to win enough Progressive Conservative supporters over to her independent candidacy, she has a tough row to hoe,” Adams said.

Nason declined to comment on Auch’s allegations she was stonewalled by the PCs and said he isn’t worried about his competitor funnelling votes away from him.

“If (Auch) hopes to win enough Progressive Conservative supporters over to her independent candidacy, she has a tough row to hoe.”– Chris Adams, U of M adjunct professor of political science

“We had the same rules we were abiding by… I did my job… sold memberships,” he said. “Any amount of candidates that put forward good position and can represent the community can definitely put up a good race, be it Ms. Auch, Ms. Corbett… as long as we run a truthful and factual race.”

Nason hopes to build on his relationship with former Transcona PC MLA Blair Yakimoski, who represented the constituency between 2016 and 2019, and former Elmwood-Transcona federal MP Lawrence Toet.

Nason chaired Yakimoski’s campaign in 2016 and has close ties with Toet.

“I’ve been living and working in this community for many years now,” he said. “I’ve built a strong base in this community and have a vision.”

Despite Nason’s popularity, the neighbourhood still largely swings NDP and Corbett will get votes based solely on her party affiliation, Adams said.

The professor noted byelections have a historically low turnout and the race comes at the same time as an ongoing provincial PC leadership contest, upcoming federal Liberal party leader contest and looming federal election.

If it comes down to handful of votes between the NDP and PCs, Auch could be the difference-maker, but Adams believes the seat is pretty safe.

“I think there are many people who remember Nello Altomare with great fondness, and Wab Kinew is doing very, very well in the polls … (Nason) has an uphill battle.”

The Liberal candidate said Auch pivoting to run as an independent is an example of the Tories “continuing to argue and sow division amongst themselves.”

“It begs the question ‘How can they expect to represent the hard-working people of Transcona when they cannot get their own house in order?’” Boudreau said in an emailed statement. “Meanwhile, I am focused on the priorities of the people and community where I grew up my entire life.”

Corbett did not respond to a request for an interview Monday.

nicolebuffie@freepress.mb.ca