A significant number of Steinbach city council hopefuls were notably absent from the initial forum leading up to the upcoming municipal election. Approximately 100 individuals congregated at the Southeast Event Centre on Wednesday evening for the gathering. Discussions centered around housing and healthcare, with attendees exchanging viewpoints and posing inquiries to the candidates who were present.
Out of the ten candidates contending for six councillor positions, only four engaged in the event, which was co-organized by Strong Towns Steinbach and the South East Equity Coalition. Notably, no incumbent council members partook in the forum. The participating candidates were Gary Dyck, Nicholas Goertzen, Mitesh Kumar, and Brad Unger.
Melissa Plett, a resident of Steinbach since 2005, emphasized the significance of the event as an avenue for community engagement and the sharing of concerns before the election on October 28. Plett noted the absence of more council members and highlighted the city’s growth without matching infrastructure developments.
Addressing the pressing issues of affordable housing and recreational opportunities, Plett, a mother of three, expressed her priorities. Dr. Curtis Krahn, a practicing family physician in Steinbach, led the discussions on health and well-being during the forum, stressing the importance of informed decision-making for voters.
Dr. Krahn lamented the limited candidate attendance and underscored the forum’s aim to explore critical quality-of-life aspects often overlooked in traditional campaign platforms. He anticipated broader candidate participation in potential future events.
Participants in the dialogue group raised concerns about emergency room wait times, elder care, volunteerism, and the necessity for active transportation infrastructure to promote community well-being. Dr. Karen Toews, another family physician and lifelong Steinbach resident, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in community building, citing the essential role of various factors like housing and transportation in fostering a sense of belonging.
Dr. Toews echoed the community’s desire for safety, health, and inclusivity, expressing hope in the shared vision among residents. Notably, council candidates Greg Carlos, Ron Falk, Bill Hiebert, Jake Hiebert, Damian Penner, and Susan Penner, along with acclaimed Mayor Earl Funk, were absent from the forum.