Winnipeg Government
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Winnipeg is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by eight Members of Parliament. As of 2006, three are from the Conservative Party of Canada, three are from the New Democratic Party, and two are from the Liberal Party of Canada.
On June 22, 2004, Katz was elected as the first Jewish mayor of Winnipeg. He beat out prominent politicians Dan Vandal, Al Golden, and MaryAnn Mihychuk for the job by receiving 42.51% of the vote. This came after the resignation of Glen Murray as mayor of Winnipeg to run in the 2004 federal election.
Sam Katz was re-elected to a second term in the 2006 elections on October 25, 2006.
[edit] Politics
Starting in 1900, in both provincial and federal elections, central Winnipeg elected politicians from the Labour Party. Winnipeg was the site of a general strike from May 15 to June 28, 1919. There were violent protests during this strikes, several deaths at the hands of the Royal North-West Mounted Police, and the arrest of many of Winnipeg's future politicians. Though it was not chartered until 1932, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was born not only out of the depression but also out of the labour unrest of 1919. Its successor, the New Democratic Party, has enjoyed much support in Winnipeg since the early 1960s. Winnipeg's longest-serving Members of Parliament include J.S. Woodsworth (21 years), Stanley Knowles (38 years), David Orlikow (25 years), Bill Blaikie (almost 27 years and re-elected in the 2006 federal election), and Lloyd Axworthy (21 years).
Aside from being the provincial capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg has served as the capital for two other Canadian territories: the Northwest Territories from 1870 to 1876 and the District of Keewatin from 1876 to 1905.
[edit] Unicity
| Mayor | Sam Katz |
| River Heights-Fort Garry | Brenda Leipsic |
| Charleswood-Tuxedo | Bill Clement |
| St. Charles | Grant Nordman |
| St. James-Brooklands | Scott Fielding |
| Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry | Jenny Gerbasi |
| North Kildonan | Jeff Browaty |
| St. Boniface | Dan Vandal |
| Old Kildonan | Mike O'Shaughnessy |
| Point Douglas | Mike Pagtakhan |
| Daniel McIntyre | Harvey Smith |
| St. Vital | Gord Steeves |
| St. Norbert | Justin Swandel |
| Elmwood-East Kildonan | Lillian Thomas |
| Transcona | Russ Wyatt |
"Unicity" was created on July 27, 1971. The City of Winnipeg Act incorporated the R. M. of Charleswood, R. M. of Fort Garry, R. M. of North Kildonan, R. M. of Old Kildonan, Town of Tuxedo, City of East Kildonan, City of West Kildonan, City of St. Vital, City of Transcona, City of St. Boniface, City of St. James-Assiniboia, City of Winnipeg and The Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg into one city.
The first election for the newly combined city was held on October 6, 1971. The City Council consisted of 50 councillors and one mayor. The councillors were elected on the basis of one councillor per city ward while the mayor was elected by the city-at-large. The term of office was three years. The inaugural meeting of the new council took place on January 4, 1972.
Since 50 councillors proved too unwieldy the city wards were reduced to 29 in 1977. In 1992 the city wards were reduced even further to the present 15 and city councillors became full-time politicians.
