Desjarlais calling it quits at end of term

Longtime Brandon City Coun. Kris Desjarlais is calling it a career in politics to focus on family and work.

Desjarlais (Ward 2) said he won’t run for re-election next year, when he will have completed three full terms as representative for the downtown.

“I have no regrets. I enjoyed this time on council,” he said in an interview with the Sun on Monday.

“I still have a passion for politics, and I still love this city, but I’ve driven a lot of things over the last several years. I feel like (council) accomplished a lot.”

Desjarlais, 52, said he is grateful to have spent 11 years in municipal politics.

“I think fresh energy and fresh eyes is helpful, is good for a council, good for a city,” he said. “I think it’s time for me to step aside and let somebody else take it.”

Desjarlais said the most noteworthy accomplishments that were made by council were saving the Park Community Centre from demolition and dissolving the poverty committee in favour of a more community-minded approach.

One thing he noted as a potential mistake during his time was demolishing the Eighth Street Bridge without going to contractors or consultants for a feasibility design on an active transportation bridge.

“It would have been just fine, in my opinion, as an active transportation corridor for the foreseeable future,” Desjarlais said. “I think that was short-sighted.”

The councillor said he believes he has served the ward well, and has advocated for what he believes is best for the entire city.

He said Ward 2 might be the most difficult ward to represent in the city, because of its diverse needs.

“You’re representing a myriad of interests. You’re representing property owners, residents, business owners … those without a voice; representing students, seniors, a large portion of our new Canadian population,” he said. “Sometimes those interests do not align in any way.

“You’re having to represent those conflicting interests in the best way possible, that ensures you’ve got a healthy, viable, safe downtown — safe for residents — while still creating dignity and a sense of belonging and engagement with those who are struggling.”

Desjarlais said he has tried to do what he can for the homeless population in the city.

When he was still a new councillor, he said, things were getting better and people were being housed.

Then, he said, as Winnipeg cleared encampments, people started coming to Brandon, which increased with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the city has still not been able to fully recover.

Having extra time means Desjarlais can focus more on his day job at Assiniboine College, where he works as the director of Indigenous education.

“Putting a lot of my time into that role is something I’m looking forward to.”

The job helps build stronger connections to the Indigenous community and helps future generations become better versions of themselves, Desjarlais said.

He said working as a councillor has been hard on his family.

“This is a strain on any family,” he said. “My kids are 16 and 13, and you know, I’d like to have a little more time with them in the evenings and stuff to get them through these last stages of high school. I’m happy with my decision to leave municipal politics at this time.”

Desjarlais noted councillors’ pay does not reflect the amount of time they put in.

In 2024, councillors took home a salary of $23,298, while Deputy Mayor Glen Parker (Ward 9) made $29,060, and Mayor Jeff Fawcett took in $100,000, according to a compensation disclosure report.

Desjarlais said a higher amount of compensation is needed, especially with the cost of living going up, but added it’s hard for a council to do because it looks bad to be giving themselves a raise.

Desjarlais didn’t rule out potentially coming back into the world of politics in the future, whether it’s at the municipal or another level of government.

Originally from Thompson, Desjarlais said he has had a connection to Brandon and area ever since he first arrived to attend Brandon University, where he studied political science.

He wasn’t a stranger to politics — his mother, Bev Desjarlais, served as MP for Churchill from 1997 to 2006.

Desjarlais first won in an upset election in 2014, defeating incumbent Corey Roberts. Desjarlais garnered 322 votes to Roberts’ 233 and Miles Crossman’s 270. James O’Connor finished last in that race with 190 votes.

He won again in 2018, defeating challenger Glen Kruck. In 2022, he defeated Phillip Emmerson and Dale Bates.

Desjarlais said he hopes his successor will take into account everyone who lives in the ward and the city when making decisions, not just the taxpayers.

» alambert@brandonsun.com