An organization representing municipal governments in Manitoba wants more people to throw their names in the hat this fall. The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) is urging residents to consider running for public office ahead of the civic election nomination period. The deadline to submit nomination papers is Sept. 22. “It’s a big step, especially if you’ve never been involved in politics before. But if you have passion and you want to make change or love things that you’re seeing in your municipality, get involved. Put your name forward,” AMM President Kathy Valentino told CTV News on Friday afternoon. The AMM notes municipal council members help make decisions involving infrastructure, recreation, emergency services, planning, and economic development. “When you start to see progress for your municipality – if it’s finally seeing the new pool open, a walking path that’s opened, or you see kids at a splash park you advocated for – that’s not a pleasant surprise, that’s gratitude,” Valentino said. The AMM has developed an online hub of election resources to support prospective and returning candidates, along with an interactive map and data dashboard. “Our goal is to really make sure that people have the information they need, that they feel informed, and that they’re going to be confident enough to put their name forwards and take that next step,” Valentino explained. She noted the hub has a section on how candidates can wade through some of the negative aspects of running for public office. She said it includes advice on handling harassment and social media-related attacks. “There is support out there for when that happens and it’s something we’re not going to stop talking about,” Valentino said. Christopher Adams, adjunct professor in political science at the University of Manitoba, told CTV News that civic politics and municipal elections work differently than their provincial and federal counterparts. “In a local campaign, you don’t have a political party, you’d don’t have a political party brand, you don’t have a leader that sweeps along the local candidates with him or her,” Adams said. He added, in regard to metropolitan regions like the City of Winnipeg, the wards typically cover a larger geographical area. “So, you have to campaign harder, and with fewer resources in an area that’s bigger than [provincial or federal] constituency,” he explained. “The other thing is you’re on your own for fundraising and getting signs put together. So, it’s a tough slog.” However, Adams said those who do serve on municipal council often look back at their career choice favourably. “If you’re fortunate and skilled enough to get elected, and you have a couple of terms at city council, you’ll look back on those years with pride, not with disappointment.” The general municipal election in Manitoba takes place on Oct. 28.
