The City of Thompson is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Municipal By-election, set to take place on September 10. This special election comes in the wake of the resignation of former councillor Earl Colbourne, who stepped down from his position on April 29. The City of Thompson Council ratified the selection of September 10 as the official by-election date during their May 13 Regular Meeting of Council, following the notice of a School District of Mystery Lake Trustee resignation on April 18.
According to Manitoba’s Municipal Act, a by-election is mandated when a city council seat becomes vacant 12 months or less before the next general municipal election. With Manitoba’s next general municipal election scheduled for October 2026, the upcoming by-election is necessary for filling the vacant positions and ensuring the continued representation of the community.
On September 10, registered voters in the City of Thompson will have the opportunity to elect one City of Thompson Councillor and one School District of Mystery Lake Trustee. Eligible voters must be 18 years old, Canadian citizens, and have resided or owned property within the City of Thompson for at least 6 months as of the election date, which means since March 10, 2024, or earlier. Additionally, students attending university outside of the city who plan to return home after their current term and local residents with no fixed address are also eligible to cast their ballots.
Two candidates have stepped forward in the race for the vacant City Council position. Linda Markus and Oswald Sawh are both vying to fill the eighth spot on Council. For the School District of Mystery Lake Trustee position, Abbey Ogumbanwo and Michelle Nicole-Sawh have registered as candidates seeking to fill the spot left vacant by Michael Lawson’s resignation.
The by-election will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bill Comaskey Wellness Centre in the Thompson Regional Community Centre on September 10. Those who are unable to vote on the official by-election day will have the opportunity to participate in advance voting, which will be held at the Bill Comaskey Wellness Centre on Wednesday, September 4, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The City of Thompson is committed to promoting civic engagement and ensuring that eligible voters have the opportunity to have their voices heard in this important by-election.
