First candidate registers in Elmwood-East Kildonan race

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This article was published 07/07/2025 (390 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A community advocate is running to become the next city councillor for Elmwood-East Kildonan.

Emma Durand-Wood became the first candidate to register her campaign for the council seat, which became open after the death of Coun. Jason Schreyer in April.

After volunteering with the Glenelm Neighbourhood Association, Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp., Elmwood Business Coalition and the Trees Please Winnipeg Coalition, she decided to enter her first political race.

“I’ve tried to always get involved and do what I can… Folks are asking me if I would serve in this new way (running for city council), so I’m going to give it a try,” she said.

Durand-Wood, 44, has lived in Elmwood-East Kildonan since she moved to Winnipeg in 2008, after growing up in Alberta and living in B.C. She currently works as a freelance writer and editor.

If she wins the byelection, she hopes to support recreation amenities that are within walking distance of homes. She said that includes keeping existing community centres open and expanding hours at wading pools.

“I think it’s really important for people to have (amenities) close by… Those are the things that help build community,” said Durand-Wood.

“I’ve tried to always get involved and do what I can… Folks are asking me if I would serve in this new way (running for city council), so I’m going to give it a try.”– Emma Durand-Wood

Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Labour Council has endorsed potential candidate Carmen Prefontaine.

Prefontaine, a City of Winnipeg employee and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 first-vice-president, said she expects to officially register for the race by the end of this week.

About 15 years ago, she spent her first year as a city employee with 311, then worked in water and waste prior to moving to human resources.

“I work in safety, health and wellness (as an administrative assistant), so I know a lot of the challenges that our community faces. I think my experience working across city departments as a front-line worker would be a benefit to support Elmwood-East Kildonan,” she said.

Prefontaine, 51, said she moved to Winnipeg at the age of one and went to school in Elmwood-Transcona, where she also lives now.

“I’ve seen city hall prioritizing other areas of the city for a long time and it’s kind of left Elmwood and East Kildonan a bit behind. I’d like to make sure it gets its fair share so we can improve our recreation services, fix our roads (and) address crime, homelessness and addictions in a meaningful, compassionate way,” she said.

Candidates can register to run for the council seat until Sept. 19. The byelection will be held on Oct. 25.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter

Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.

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