Labour leader becomes third candidate running in byelection to fill Winnipeg city council seat

Carmen Prefontaine is the third candidate to register to replace the late Jason Schreyer on Winnipeg council in Elmwood-East Kildonan.

Prefontaine has been vice president with the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Manitoba since May 2024. 

"I feel that aspect of me is a huge contributing factor to being successful in this role," Prefontaine said.

The Winnipeg Labour Council endorsed her in a Facebook post on June 27.

Prefontaine aims to work with other levels of government to tackle unaddressed issues in her ward.

"There's homelessness issues. There is a lot of crime, a lot of people going down back lanes vandalizing, stealing things," she said.

"I think that comes down to dealing with the poverty issues and actually proactively dealing with the underlying issues that exist more than just putting more police on the streets."

Prefontaine added her experience as an employee with the City of Winnipeg first with 3-1-1 when it started and now with safety, health and wellness in human resources is an asset that gives her knowledge of the budgeting process. She listed her priorities as addressing safety and transit issues, and improving infrastructure like roads, sewer and water.

The two other candidates registered as of July 23 are Emma Durand-Wood, an urban forest and housing advocate and Zekaria Selahadin, a child-care assistant.

The Elmwood-East Kildonan seat on city council has been vacant since the death of former councillor Schreyer in April.

The deadline to register and submit nomination papers is Sept. 19. The byelection is slated for Oct. 25.