Business consultant quick to enter Winnipeg mayoral race, less eager to elaborate on platform

The first candidate to enter Winnipeg's mayoral race was quick to register her campaign but not as eager to entertain questions about her platform.

On Tuesday morning, less than two hours after the start of the 2018 mayoral campaign period, business development consultant Jenny Motkalukvisited the city clerk's office to make her campaign official.

"I'm running for mayor to defeat Brian Bowman, just to be clear, and it's becauseWinnipeggersknow Brian Bowman doesn't share our priorities," she told reporters in the courtyard at city hall after she registered her campaign, taking aim at some of themayor's initiatives.

"We know that spending moneyopening Portage and Main millions of untold dollars opening Portage and Main isn't a good idea. And we also know that future legs of rapid transit andWi-Fion the buses are not going to get us to work on time tomorrow."

Motkaluk also suggested incumbent Brian Bowman is more interested in public appearances than policy work.

"We know that being the mayor is a lot more than the ceremonial roles. It's a lot more than the ribbon cuttings and the picture taking and the handshaking," she said.

"Winnipeggers want a working mayor, someone who understands that the job is to make sure that the city works, every single day, for all of us."

When asked what she would do differently with Portage and Main or Winnipeg Transit funding, Motkalukdeclined to comment. Her question-and-answer session with reporters lasted less than two minutes.

• Business consultant eyes mayoral run, criticizing Brian Bowman's focus on transit, Portage and Main

Dave Shorr, Motkaluk's mediaadvisor, promised more comment later in the campaign.

"We registered today. We need to get the website up. We need to get the email addresses up. The campaign is literally 15 minutes old," Shorr said.

He later issued a statement that also listed road repairs, snow clearing and improved recreation centres as Motkaluk priorities.

Business consultant quick to enter Winnipeg mayoral race

6 years ago

Duration 1:40

Jenny Motkaluk less eager to elaborate on platform.Bowman, who has yet to register his campaign, largelydeclined to respond toMotkaluk's comments on Tuesday.

"There's going to be many candidates coming forward. We're hearing about a number of people. This is democracy and I'd expect there'llbe a number of candidates making their case to Winnipeggers," Bowman saidat Siloam Mission following aDowntown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zoneannouncement.

The incumbent mayor also said road repairs are his top priority.

Mayoral candidates have until September to register their campaigns. The registration period for council candidates starts on June 30 and also ends in September.

The vote is slated for Oct. 24.