Selkirk elects first majority-female city council

Selkirk’s recent municipal election marked a milestone for gender representation — with four of the seven council members now women, the city has its first majority-female council.

“Selkirk’s election is historic, representing the first time in the city’s history the majority of council are women,” Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson said. “We are a progressive city that has long had strong representation of women elected to council. But this election we’ve set a record, and we should be proud of that.”

Johannson will lead the city for another four years after being acclaimed to a fifth term, while voters returned all five incumbent councillors who sought re-election.

The results give Selkirk a largely unchanged council, with newcomer Joen Hadfield joining the six-member council following the municipal election.

Johannson, who served one term as a councillor from 2006 to 2010 before becoming mayor, said the continued support from residents is humbling.

“I have the utmost respect for the voters, and from the first time they put their trust in me and elected me as a councillor I realized the importance of that trust,” Johannson said.

He credited the work of council over the years for helping improve the community, noting the consistency of its membership despite changes in individual terms.

John Buffie, Lorie Fiddler, Doug Poirier, April Smith and Darlene Swiderski were all re-elected, while Hadfield secured a seat as a new member of council.

A total of 1,936 residents cast ballots, representing voter turnout of 21.5 per cent. That was down from 29.2 per cent in 2022, when 2,352 voters participated.

The lower turnout came with no mayoral contest and all five incumbent councillors retaining their seats.

Chief Administrative Officer Duane Nicol said the results demonstrate support for the direction the city has taken, particularly as it continues to invest in infrastructure and accommodate population and economic growth.

“Over the last 15 years we have seen a significant turnaround in the city’s population and economic growth,” Nicol said.

He pointed to investments in critical infrastructure as a key part of the city’s development, helping attract new housing, industrial development and commercial businesses.

Nicol said the continuity at the council table will allow the city to maintain its focus on long-term projects and priorities.

Johannson also praised city administration and staff, highlighting projects such as the wastewater treatment plant, drinking water improvements and environmental initiatives.

He welcomed Hadfield to council, saying her experience and perspective would bring new ideas to discussions.

Council members gathered for orientation on Nov. 2, with the new council scheduled to be sworn in on Nov. 9 ahead of the four-year term.

Selkirk’s results differed from several neighbouring municipalities, including East St. Paul, West St. Paul, St. Andrews and St. Clements, which elected new mayors and saw significant changes to their council tables.

Johannson said he believes the results reflect residents’ confidence in the work being done by the current council.

“This is the second straight election that all incumbents who ran, were re-elected,” he said, while also thanking longtime Coun. Kelly Cook, who chose not to seek re-election, for his service.

» Winnipeg Sun