Isleifson shares his priorities for 2026 run for mayor

Former Brandon East MLA Len Isleifson said his reason for running to be Brandon mayor in next year’s municipal election is to bring action-oriented leadership to address public safety concerns in the community.

The former city councillor announced his intent to run on Friday.

In a news release, Isleifson said his campaign will focus on three key pillars — enhancing public safety, promoting sustainable economic growth and improving access to community services.

The goal is to better engage with the community, he told the Sun.

“I think I have a style of reaching out to people, listening to them, working with them — and I want to bring that approach back to city hall,” Isleifson said. “It’s not enough to keep talking about issues. We need to start taking action.”

Public safety stands as a central pillar in Isleifson’s campaign. He acknowledged the growing concerns about crime in Brandon, particularly downtown, but cautioned against limiting the conversation to one area.

“Crime happens all over the city,” he said. “I was looking at recent crime index statistics across Manitoba, and while Thompson ranks highest, Brandon isn’t far behind. That’s why we need to be proactive — working closely with agencies to find real solutions instead of just continuing the conversation without action.”

Rather than rely solely on meetings and discussions, Isleifson said he wants to implement proactive strategies. He expressed support for the recent initiatives under Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates but believes there’s room to go further by working directly with community agencies to develop and implement solutions.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett told the Sun he is likely to seek re-election in the 2026 municipal vote, but he insists his focus remains firmly on governing and long-term development of the city rather than early campaigning.

“I would be assuming I would be running again, but it’s still a year and a half away,” he said. “Right now, I’m working for the longer term — and preparing for its future.”

Addressing concerns about crime rates in Brandon, particularly in the core, Fawcett said the city’s safety initiatives are already producing tangible outcomes — even if the raw numbers might suggest otherwise.

“The numbers might look larger because we’re reporting more,” he explained. “Our cadet program has made a big difference. The increased presence downtown means more incidents are being documented and addressed quickly, which is a positive sign.”

He also praised Brandon’s Community Mobilization program, which brings together multiple agencies to provide early intervention services for at-risk individuals before issues escalate into criminal behaviour.

“That program is one of the best in the country,” he said. “It’s designed to prevent incidents from happening in the first place. These efforts don’t always show up in crime stats, but they’re making a real difference.”

Fawcett emphasized that addressing crime and building a stronger Brandon requires teamwork between all levels of government and community organizations.

“We work very consciously with our community service groups, the Brandon Police Service, and the provincial government. It’s a collaborative effort, and we’re doing that work regularly,” he said. “We’re always looking to make progress.”

Beyond safety, Isleifson is also keen on boosting Brandon’s economic potential. Drawing from his experience as an MLA, he recalled working with businesses that considered setting up in Brandon but didn’t follow through. “There’s a market out there. People are interested in what Brandon has to offer, and we need to be more aggressive in going after those opportunities,” he said.

He linked economic growth to infrastructure needs, noting that bringing in new businesses will require expanded health care and education services. “We need to create a community that people want to move to and invest in,” he added.

Isleifson also highlighted the role of immigration in Brandon’s growth, emphasizing that it’s not only about welcoming international newcomers but also attracting Canadians from other provinces. “Immigration — whether international or interprovincial — is huge. It’s how communities like ours thrive,” he said, noting that his great-grandfather immigrated from Iceland.

Isleifson said his decision to run for mayor was not sudden, but part of a long-term plan dating back over a decade.

“Back in 2009, when I first ran for city council, my goal was to one day serve as mayor,” he said. Though his career took a detour through the Manitoba legislature, where he served two terms as MLA, Isleifson now says the time is right to return his focus to municipal leadership. “I’ve called Brandon home since 1962, and I’m not done giving back to the community.”

Fawcett explained that while it’s unusual for candidates to announce this far in advance, the democratic process allows for early declarations.

“In a democracy, people are free to make that decision. Someone can announce for the next three elections if they want,” he added. “It’s not my focus right now — I’ll leave campaigning for the appropriate time.”

With more than a year until the election, Isleifson sees this early declaration as an opportunity to engage deeply with residents. “This gives me time to talk to as many people as possible and hear their ideas,” he said. “I truly believe in the principle of being elected by the people, for the people.”

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