Duncan claims Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood

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This article was published 25/10/2022 (695 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The second time was the charm for Evan Duncan, Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood’s new city councillor.

“We got it done,” Duncan, 39, told reporters, beaming in a Boston Pizza lounge minutes after being elected Wednesday night.

Around 60 people had come to support the Manitoba Justice employee. He had been in a tight race for the ward seat with four other candidates, following the move by councillor Kevin Klein to step down and run for mayor.

Duncan garnered around 9,500 votes, beating well-known radio broadcaster Hal Anderson by more than 2,000. Brad Gross, Steven Minion and Gordon Penner had also put their names in the ring.

“I’m here to represent Charleswood, Tuxedo and Westwood,” Duncan said. “I want to make sure that people have a voice at city hall, and I’m ready to work.”

Duncan vied for the job in 2014. He narrowly lost to Marty Morantz, now Tory MP for Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia–Headingley.

“I came up just short in 2014, but this is the feeling we were waiting for,” Duncan said. “Now that it’s here, I couldn’t be more happier.”

Anderson said he was “disappointed,” but respected residents’ decisions.

“I wish Evan Duncan all the best,” Anderson said. “I feel like I could’ve brought real change… I will hold the new mayor and council’s feet to the fire on radio and go back to a job that I love.”

Duncan said he and his team knocked on more than 8,000 doors prior to Wednesday night. During his campaign, he touted being a lifelong resident of the area and a consistent local volunteer.

“I feel like I could’ve brought real change… I will hold the new mayor and council’s feet to the fire on radio and go back to a job that I love.”–Hal Anderson

He was student council president in Grade 12. Back then, it was about community, just like now, he said.

First on Duncan’s agenda: meet with council colleagues.

He’s promised to prioritize safety in the community, cutting red tape, improving infrastructure, and expanding green spaces.

“(I’m) relieved — like I can breathe again,” said Sam Calhoun, Duncan’s campaign manager. “It’s all worth it.”

She said her role was a full-time position but “no matter how much work I put in, (Duncan) tripled it.”

Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood has seen a number of single-term councillors since Bill Clement, who held the seat for 27 years, died in 2010. Clement’s wife Debbie was at Duncan’s campaign party Wednesday.

Klein was elected councillor in 2018. Morantz and Paula Havixbeck, who won the seat in 2010, also previously held the role.

Havixbeck ran for mayor in 2014, but lost to Brian Bowman.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com