Emma Durand-Wood emerged victorious in the recent byelection for the council seat in Winnipeg’s Elmwood-East Kildonan district. Securing over 31% of the votes, totaling 1,567, Durand-Wood outpaced her closest rival, Abel Gutierrez, who garnered about 18% of the votes with 887 ballots. Braydon Mazurkiewich followed in third place, gathering around 17% of the votes, amounting to 842, as per unofficial results released on the city of Winnipeg’s website last Saturday.
In her post-election speech, the 44-year-old pledged to contribute to constructing a “more cohesive, joyful, and interconnected community.” Expressing enthusiasm for her upcoming responsibilities, Durand-Wood expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as councilor, vowing to dedicate herself to the role and work tirelessly for the benefit of ordinary citizens.
Having been actively involved in Elmwood community initiatives advocating for increased tree planting and expanded infill housing opportunities, Durand-Wood emphasized the importance of positivity and problem-solving during her campaign. She highlighted the community’s desire for constructive solutions, ranging from enhanced public transportation services to improved youth programs, rather than focusing on negativity.
Reflecting on her campaign experiences, Durand-Wood stressed the significance of grassroots engagement and understanding the community’s needs. She emphasized her commitment to prioritize community investments as a councilor, recognizing the vital role such initiatives play in fostering a stronger society and addressing poverty issues.
During her door-to-door interactions with constituents, Durand-Wood identified crime reduction and poverty alleviation as key concerns among residents. Proposing a “housing first” approach to address homelessness and crime, she underscored the importance of providing secure housing and essential support services to individuals facing addiction or trauma challenges. Additionally, she emphasized the pivotal role of poverty reduction strategies, such as improving housing conditions, ensuring food security, and enhancing accessible public transportation to uplift individuals from impoverished circumstances.
The byelection, prompted by the untimely passing of former councilor Jason Schreyer in April, saw Durand-Wood competing against six other candidates for the vacant seat. Notably, Chris Sweryda, endorsed by Schreyer’s family members, secured the fourth position with 740 votes.
Out of 31,819 eligible voters, a mere 15% turnout was recorded during the byelection in Elmwood-East Kildonan. Concurrently, similar elections were conducted for school trustee positions in Louis Riel School Division Ward 3 and Pembina Trails School Division Ward 1, resulting in Peter Bjornson and Samantha Pope’s respective victories.