‘Their minds will explode’

The forthcoming Winnipeg city council will boast the highest number of new councillors in decades, with all members facing a steep learning curve upon taking office. The city's next council will consist of nine new members, marking the largest turnover since 1992. Five new councillors won uncontested races, while four defeated their predecessors.

Scott Gillingham, the re-elected mayor, anticipates a significant transition for the new councillors, who will be asked to make decisions on a wide range of critical issues such as policing, city planning, urban forestry, and wastewater engineering. Gillingham plans to meet with all new councillors within 48 to 72 hours to understand their priorities and assist with the transition. He fondly recalls his own election in 2014, likening it to "drinking from a fire hose."

A retreat aimed at setting a strategic priorities action plan for the council is scheduled for January or February. The upcoming city budget is expected to be released in March, providing time for new councillors to acclimate to their roles. Gillingham expresses gratitude for his re-election, noting that previous incumbents often claimed more decisive victories.

Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Manitoba, suggests that the high turnover among city councillors and the presence of "wicked problems" like homelessness and addiction could explain the city's current challenges. Adams also notes that recent Canadian elections have seen a trend of "widespread change," with several Premier defeats reflecting a "mood for change."

Several incumbents who sat on the public works committee prior to the election will need to be replaced. Couns. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) and Markus Chambers (St. Norbert – Seine River) did not seek re-election, while couns. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan) and Ross Eadie (Mynarski) were defeated. Lukes warns that new councillors must educate themselves at a pace that exceeds the learning curve's capabilities, stating that the transition will be overwhelming. She will utilize a new digital portal to aid in the orientation process.

Emma Durand-Wood, re-elected in Elmwood-East Kildonan after an earlier run in October 2025, plans to take advantage of the training sessions. She considers the upcoming process to be highly beneficial for fully understanding her role. Natalie Smith, a campaign and outreach organizer, defeated Eadie by less than two percentage points in Mynarski. Smith attributes her victory to her grassroots efforts and the trust garnered in the Mynarski neighborhood, despite facing an incumbent candidate.

In Old Kildonan, Greg McFarlane, a former school trustee, will replace Sharma, garnering 56.7 percent of the vote. McFarlane credits his win to his background as a trustee and a lean campaign, noting that residents of the ward were dissatisfied with the incumbent councillor's performance. Lora Meseman will assume leadership of Transcona after incumbent Coun. Russ Wyatt finished fourth. McFarlane and Meseman share a view that the high turnover among incumbents reflects the city's need for change to address pressing issues.