Squires confirms she won’t run for mayor

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This article was published 07/06/2022 (1360 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Families Minister Rochelle Squires has decided not to run for Winnipeg mayor.

The Progressive Conservative member for Riel announced her decision Tuesday on social media.

Squires deferred to her Instagram post when asked for comment Tuesday as she left Premier Heather Stefanson’s office at the Manitoba legislature.

On Monday, her cabinet colleague, Scott Fielding, announced on Twitter his resignation as natural resources minister, that he was vacating his Kirkfield Park seat within two weeks and retiring from politics.

Squires spent 45 minutes in Stefanson’s office Tuesday afternoon, during which time her Instagram message was posted. When she left the premier’s office, she was rushed into an elevator by two political staff members.

There has been speculation for more than a month that Squires was planning to run for mayor and avoid a general election that polls suggest the Progressive Conservatives will not win. There was also speculation last summer that she was running for the PC leadership, but she did not.

Squires’ social media post was vague about her reasons for not throwing her hat in the civic ring.

“Many things have happened in both my personal and political lives this week that have caused me to pause and seriously re-consider if the timing is right for me to launch a bid to become the mayor of Winnipeg,” the post said.

“Though I will disappoint many who have strongly encouraged and supported me, I have decided to focus on my family and continue in my role helping Manitobans as the minister of families.”

It did not indicate if she’ll run again provincially in the next general election, which must be held on or before Oct. 3, 2023.