Mayoral race lineup grows to 10 candidates

An electrical contractor has become the 10th candidate to register for the race to become Winnipeg’s next mayor.

Zac Uminski has thrown his name into the competition, after Scott Gillingham signed up to seek re-election as mayor and eight other candidates previously registered.

The father of four said concern about homelessness and addictions sparked his interest in politics.

“My campaign will focus on practical solutions to improve public safety, support families and strengthen the city services,” Uminski said. “We need safer communities.”

If elected, he plans to lobby for a temporary managed encampment-to-housing site in Winnipeg, as was previously proposed by St. Boniface Street Links. Such a site could include some safety and fire prevention service, garbage collection, portable washrooms and cleaning efforts, with people staying in the space required to work on a housing plan.

Winnipeg city council voted to rule out the idea in April, with opponents noting the province has supported other initiatives to combat homelessness, instead.

However, Uminski said he is confident public pressure could still lead the idea to be implemented.

“(It’s) a tool that would bring immediate safety, not just to the public but also to the people who are suffering,” he said.

The 39-year-old owner of Electricians Winnipeg said he’d also seek ways to make it quicker and easier to obtain city building permits if elected. For example, he said the city could help contractors get construction clearances from Manitoba Hydro.

Christopher Clacio, Michael Vogiatzakis, Umar Hayat, Mazher Alam, Joshua Pagdato, Johnny Calderon, Noah Redden and Don Woodstock have also registered to run for mayor.

To get their name on the ballot, mayoral candidates must register and complete a nomination process, which requires collecting at least 250 signatures from eligible voters by Sept. 22.

Election Day is Oct. 28.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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