Winnipeg Election 2018

Brian Bowman - Mayoral Candidates

Why did you decide to run in the 2018 (Winnipeg Civic Election / School Board Election)?

I am running for re-election because I want to continue building a growing, thriving, and more modern city. A city with safer neighbourhoods, and a vibrant downtown where Winnipeggers want to work, live, and play. An inclusive city for human rights, with a stronger and more transparent government working for all Winnipeggers and investing today for a future population of one million people strong. We have achieved a lot together and we cannot afford to turn the clock back. We need to keep our momentum going and we need to continue building on the progress we’ve made.

What experience will you bring to complement your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee)?

I have the ability to convene stakeholders and work collaboratively with them. As Mayor, success is only possible through collaboration with fellow Councillors, other levels of government, and different stakeholders for the betterment of the entire city. As Mayor, you need to be able to govern for all Winnipeggers and that’s something I feel I have been able to do.  I also believe that my experience serving and advocating for the community through organizations like the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the University of Manitoba, and Ka Ni Kanichihk has allowed me to be a better Mayor. As a past Chair of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, I fully appreciate how important it is to support small and medium sized businesses – which are the engine of our economy – across the city. We are a growing city, and the Mayor of Winnipeg needs to support that growth.

What are some issues that you would like to stand for in your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee), and why are these issues important to you?

I want to continue building a stronger government and that is why I am committing to greater openness and transparency. Over the last four years, we have taken significant steps to make more information available to taxpayers so they know how tax dollars are being invested. By increasing openness and transparency, we are able to increase accountability. Our initiatives over the last four years have contributed to the City of Winnipeg increasing its ranking on the Open Cities Index from eleventh in 2015 to third in 2018,  and as ranking fifth in the world by the Intelligent City Forum. We need to continue.

I also want to build a safer city for Winnipeggers because I want to make it a better city for everyone. This requires a multi-faceted approach as well as cooperation between governments and across the community with many different agencies already working to address many of the socioeconomic and health factors contributing to criminal activity and violence. I favour a multi-pronged approach to address drug addiction. I am committing to forming a Meth Task Force with the provincial and federal government. I also support the Winnipeg Police Service’s Illicit Drug Strategy, focusing on enforcement, intervention, and education. 

What is something that you appreciate about the (City of Winnipeg / the ward / the school ward or school division) you wish to represent?

The thing I appreciate the most about Winnipeg is that it is such a diverse city with deep roots. Just in the last four years, Winnipeg’s population grew from 698,000 to over 750,000 today, driven in large part by newcomers calling our city their home. Our strength will continue to drive our great city to success. That is why we should be optimistic about our future.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

I am very proud of our award-winning pedestrian and cycling strategy. You will notice more active transportation facilities across the city.  During my tenure as Mayor, Council has invested a record $40.6 million over the last four years in all infrastructure related to active transportation. That was the result of working collaboratively with Councillors and key stakeholders. In order to be a growing, more modern city, we need to offer our citizens a range of commuting options that can improve their standard of living. That is why I am committed to expanding our active transportation network over the next four years.