Mayoral candidate denounced for online comments

A Winnipeg mayoral candidate is facing criticism after he posted derogatory comments about immigrants and used the word “gay” as an insult online.

Sydney Adams said the response she got from Zac Uminski, who is seeking the city’s top office alongside 12 other individuals, left her baffled. She recently criticized Uminski over his use of artificial intelligence to produce campaign material, to which he replied he can’t afford to hire people to make art or “do whatever gay s—- you think is better than AI.”

“What was going through my head was that this is just unacceptable,” she said.

Adams said Uminski also posted other disparaging remarks about newcomers.

“It’s not acceptable. It’s not OK. It’s just disgusting,” Adams said. “I can’t imagine what he’d be like as a mayor.”

In another comment thread shared on a Reddit post featuring the original comments, Uminski said he “hates immigrants.”

The 26-year-old woman, who splits her time between Brandon and Winnipeg, said it was the first time she had reached out to a politician. She said his behaviour should result in tighter vetting for those seeking top office.

Adams said Uminski should apologize and withdraw from the race.

When announcing his campaign last month, the electrician and father of four said he would focus on “practical solutions to improve public safety, support families and strengthen the city services.”

When reached by phone, Uminski refused to answers a reporter’s questions and hung up.

Asked over social media if he would be withdrawing his candidacy after his comments were shared publicly, he replied: “lol no.”

Several followup questions about his remarks went unanswered, but he denied deleting any of the comments that appeared to have been removed, saying he “didn’t delete anything.”

Representatives from the Immigrant Centre Manitoba and the Islamic Association of Manitoba did not immediately respond to Uminski’s remarks.

Barry Karlenzig, president of Pride Winnipeg, said an apology from the candidate would be appropriate.

“Anyone running for mayor, their first and foremost job, is basically they serve at the pleasure of those in the community. That includes the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” Karlenzig said. “Any mayor or city official should be serving their ward, and there are queer people in every single ward within this city.”

Karlenzig said derogatory terms have no place in politics and invited all candidates to learn about the LGBTTQ+ community, their contributions and their rights.

Adams said while she’s not particularly politically engaged, the interaction with Uminski concerns her.

“It’s not helping that we’re allowing someone like him to be speaking out on behalf of Winnipeg,” she said.

In addition to Uminski, Scott Gillingham, Kevin Klein, Michael Vogiatzakis, Christopher Clacio, Umar Hayat, Mazher Alam, Don Woodstock, Joshua Pagdato, Johnny Calderon, Noah Redden, Brad Gross and Tracey Drexler have registered to run for mayor.

Winnipeggers go to the polls on Oct. 28.

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca