Can our current mayor win the


next election? History offers just a bit of guidance on voter allegiance in a civic vote


Fred Morris I


s the office of Winnipeg's mayor's exempt from political cycles? George Sharpe, after his ousting in 1956, has often been referred to as the last Win- nipeg mayor to be defeated – a reputed standing that has given subsequent in- cumbents a certain aura of durability while in that office.


In 2018 that “durability” will be tested once again. Starting next May 1, candi- dates for mayor in the upcoming elec- tion can begin to register. Is challenging our current incumbent mayor a waste of time and money? Will it matter, in effect, that some constituents insist the current mayor has imposed legally questionable taxes? Does it matter that he wants an inquiry into the already-under-investi- gation activities of his predecessor and is mishandling the transit file? History tells us an upset is possible. Prior to Sharpe's 1956 defeat, four other mayors had been defeated in just 20 years: mayor John Queen in 1936 (he lost to Frederick Warriner in the second- round count of the city’s proportional representation ballot); Warriner in 1937, who this time lost to Queen; John Queen again in 1942 and then, after 12 years in command, Garnet Coulter in 1954. In that year, the well-known South Winnipeg alderman George Sharpe


Visit Israel


came back as mayor, ending the 12- year run of the then 72–year-old Gar- net Coulter and bringing a generational change to the office. In 1956, the North End choice, Steve Juba, narrowly upset mayor Sharpe with the help of South End alderman Walter Crawford. Juba remained unbeatable until his 1977 re- tirement.


However, it is not actually correct to refer to George Sharpe as the last Win- nipeg mayor to be defeated. The exist- ing Greater Winnipeg of that period in- cluded smaller municipalities, headed by their mayors and reeves. Between 1956 and the Jan. 1, 1972 implementation of Unicity, many of these mayors and reeves were defeated. It happened in St. James (1961), Transcona (1957), Brooklands (1957, 1959), East Kildonan (1965, 1967, 1969), Old Kildonan (1965, 1967), Fort Garry (1959), St. Vital (1959, 1961, 1965), North Kildonan (1965), Charleswood (1965), and As- siniboia (1967).


Sometimes a major issue had reared its head, bringing on the incumbent’s defeat, such as opposition to expanding the St. James Bridge in St. James, and disposal of East Kildonan's garbage. The most recent Winnipeg mayor to


be defeated was Mike Ruta in 1969 in East Kildonan. Ruta lost to Stan Dow- han, a strong advocate of Greater Win- nipeg amalgamation.


The official start to the next mayor's race is next May. Photo supplied.


With Unicity, the smaller Winnipeg municipalities and their mayors are gone; luck and timely retirements have helped mayors avoid defeat. In 2002, Al Golden took 43 per cent of the vote against the controversial incumbent Glen Murray; Golden’s legal problems probably cost him the election. Sam Katz’s 2014 retire- ment probably helped him avoid defeat. Since Juba's retirement, luck and timely retirements have helped mayors avoid defeat.


Different voting systems, rivalry be- tween different parts of the city, the age of the candidates and some high-profile issues have made mayoralty elections here unpredictable. No result can be taken for granted. On Oct. 24, 1956, a 47-year-old one-term mayor was defeat- ed in Winnipeg. On Oct. 25, 2018, an- other 47-year-old one-term mayor may face the electorate. Will history repeat? Fred Morris is a community activist in Winnipeg. He has run for political office.


Next year Israel is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding “N


ext year in Jerusalem” is a yearning-filled phrase solemnly recited through


time on Jewish ceremonial occasions, and for next year, 2018, it carries a special meaning as Israel celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding. In Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, David Ben Gu- rion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, marking the birth of the first Jewish state in 2,000 years. Commemorating this historic event, a bargain-priced, 10-day Bible Land Is-


rael Tour is being organized out of Win- nipeg by veteran tour host Ken McGhie, with the promise of an inspiring, unfor- gettable journey across the Holy Land. The tour, including air fare with taxes, meals and accommodation, and coach transport, with stops at a range of Israeli cities, has a total price of approximately $3,498 (the tax portion is subject to change).


For information and registration contact


Ken McGhie at 204-942-5433, or visit www.ToIsraelWithLove.com.


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