Shooting for first on second try

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This article was published 28/04/2022 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jenny Motkaluk is launching a second campaign to become mayor of Winnipeg.

Motkaluk, who was a newcomer to politics and had no name recognition, placed second to Brian Bowman in the 2018 election, garnering 35 per cent of the vote. She plans to register for the 2022 race on Sunday.

This time, she stressed her goal is to meet as many Winnipeggers as possible to help shape her platform.

“Last time around we spent so much time talking about policy… and, at the end of the campaign, one of the things that I heard from people is that they felt like they didn’t really get a chance to know who I was. And, if people are going to vote for me, they need to be able to trust me,” she said.

In 2020, Bowman announced he wouldn’t run for re-election, creating a wide open race.

The registration period for contenders to replace him will open Sunday and last until Sept. 20. The vote takes place Oct. 26.

In 2018, Motkaluk’s campaign focused on fixing roads, growing the economy and reducing crime rates, while she also opposed the reopening of Portage Avenue and Main Street to pedestrians.

While she stands by that campaign, she said her team won’t release its current policy ideas until later on in this race.

“Last time around, I didn’t really know what I was in for. I don’t think anybody can actually be prepared for it. So the good news is… we know sort of what to expect (now),” said Motkaluk.

Her first mayoral bid wasn’t without controversy. Bowman had accused Motkaluk of being negative and divisive, especially after she called Winnipeg “turdsville” in a news release about better preventing sewage spills. Her campaign also tweeted a picture of a chicken in a post that challenged Bowman to a one-on-one mayoral debate.

While Motkaluk admits there were “lessons learned” during that campaign, she declined to name a specific decision she wouldn’t repeat, stressing her team did the best it could at the time.

On Friday, she repeatedly noted she has a bright outlook for the city as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I know that my objective this time is to show Winnipeg an optimistic view of the future,” she said.

Over the past four years, the business development consultant said she’s been inspired through her work by the ability of Winnipeggers to unite behind a common cause. She said her job included efforts to help build the Murray Field at Dakota Collegiate and assist in the renewal of Augustine United Church.

Just before registration opens, a few other candidates have also committed to joining the race, while speculation continues about their potential competition.

Coun. Scott Gillingham said he will register to run for mayor early next week. Gillingham said he’s confident his experience on council, including leading the finance committee, would help him handle the job.

“I think I have the experience to understand what the city is doing well and where we need to improve. I can hit the ground running because of my experience at city hall and… lead the economic recovery the city needs as we come out of the pandemic,” said Gillingham.

Coun. John Orlikow, social enterprise leader Shaun Loney and past mayoral candidate Don Woodstock have declared their intentions to run for mayor.

While Coun. Kevin Klein has guaranteed he’ll compete in the election, he declined Friday to reveal if he will seek to become mayor or run for re-election in the Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood ward.

“I’m not going to say either way (where) I am leaning. I will say I’m committed to this city, I’m committed to bring change and I’m committed to continue fighting for residents,” said Klein.

While speculation has emerged that former member of Parliament Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires and former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray could also run for mayor, none of them could be reached for comment on Friday.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter:@ joyanne_pursaga