‘We need to do it together’: Gillingham begins mayoral campaign

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/05/2022 (1417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Coun. Scott Gillingham kicked off his drive for the Winnipeg mayor’s chair with a call for unity, and side orders of economy and green space.

“As a city, we have a lot of opportunities we need to seize as we come out of the pandemic,” Gillingham told the Free Press at the launch of his 2022 mayoral campaign Thursday afternoon at St. James Burger & Chip Co.

“I also believe I have the track record of bringing people together — to unite people. If we are going to tackle our challenges, we need to do it together.”

The two-term city councillor (St. James) last month resigned from the executive policy committee and stepped down from the role of finance committee chairman in the lead-up to registering as a candidate for mayor in the Oct. 26 vote.

Gillingham said his experience in council (including Winnipeg Police Board and council liaison for labour relations) has shown him what the city needs.

Gillingham told the assembled crowd of supporters he plans to clean up Winnipeg’s rivers and restore its urban forest. He said the city is not on track to meet its Million Tree Challenge, a campaign to plant one million trees over the next 20 years.

“Winnipeg needs to power our economy,” Gillingham said. “We need stronger, more resilient, climate-friendly infrastructure so we can deliver safe, reliable transportation sources.”

Gillingham said he would also target crime if elected, while pushing for “smarter” policing and safer shelters for those experiencing homelessness. “We need the strength of compassion to face the problems of addiction and homelessness.”

Those values were expressed when residents of St. James — and the city at large — supported the creation of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, he added. “An entire city rallied to overcome mistrust, misconception, suspicion and resistance.”

Among those gathered at the local restaurant to offer a public endorsement were former Long Plain First Nation chief Dennis Meeches and Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River).

“Scott has been an ally, right from Day 1,” Meeches said. “I’ve briefed our chiefs on your support, and I’m sure they would be very happy to see you in the mayor’s chair come this fall.”

“I have witnessed (Gillingham) demonstrating progressive, responsible leadership that complemented key political acumen and interpersonal insight,” said Chambers, first elected in 2018.

“I think one of the things Scott does really well is communications. He can reach out to people, and people feel like they can approach him.”

With Brian Bowman not seeking a third term, the 2022 mayoral race is expected to be a wide-open affair.

Registration with the City of Winnipeg for candidates for mayor began May 1 and is open until Sept. 20.

Seven have already thrown their hats into the ring: Gillingham; grocery worker Chris Clacio; security company owner Don Woodstock; business consultant Jenny Motkaluk; former Winnipeg Centre MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette; outdoor equipment store owner Rick Shone; and policy analyst Shaun Loney.

Several other prominent Winnipeggers have dropped hints they, too, are mulling a run.

Among them had been Coun. John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry).

On Thursday, however, Orlikow confirmed he would not be putting his name in the mix. The current deputy mayor thanked his supporters on Twitter, adding: “It is not the right decision for me to run at this time.”

Orlikow said he has yet to decide if he will seek re-election. Registration for candidates for city council opens June 30 and closes Sept. 20.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca