Steinbach residents had the opportunity to listen to all 10 city council hopefuls for the first time during a public forum on Thursday evening. The upcoming election will usher in at least two new council members, as only four of the current six councillors are seeking re-election. Out of the 10 candidates, only four had participated in a previous forum held on October 7.
Incumbent Earl Funk was acclaimed as the mayor. The public forum, held at the Mennonite Heritage Village, marked a potentially groundbreaking election with two candidates competing to become the first councillors from diverse racial backgrounds and immigrant communities.
The event was organized by the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce. Tessa Masi, the executive director, emphasized the deep cultural roots in Steinbach that residents, even those who moved there years ago, still cherish.
Candidate Mitesh Kumar, originally from India and residing in Steinbach for 15 years, and Greg Carlos, who moved to the city from the Philippines two decades ago, both presented their cases for a debut term on the city council. The city’s population has doubled over the past 20 years, making Steinbach the third-largest city in Manitoba, primarily due to immigration.
The official community plan, released recently, anticipates a population surge to over 34,000 in the next 15 years, nearly doubling the 2021 census count of 17,589 residents. Both Kumar and Carlos have integrated into the community, with Kumar working as a business consultant and Carlos being a vice-president of the Steinbach Progressive Conservative Association.
The candidates highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements to accommodate the population growth, especially following two flood incidents stemming from heavy rainfall in 2024 and 2025.
Among the new candidates, pastor Gary Dyck and Nicholas Goertzen, the youngest at 30 years old and with experience at prominent local companies, are running for council. Ron Falk, transitioning from a trustee role, and Brad Unger, a funeral director, are also contesting for council seats.
The incumbent candidates include Susan Penner, seeking a fifth term, Jake Hiebert, Bill Hiebert, and Damian Penner, all looking to secure their third terms on the council. Each candidate brings a unique background and experience to the election, offering a diverse array of choices for the voters in Steinbach.