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Winnipeg mayoral candidate Mike Vogiatzakis is chafing at criticism from other contenders of his decision to seek office in the city while he lives in the rural municipality of St. Andrews.
The funeral home director says his primary residence is in St. Andrews, which sits two municipalities north of Winnipeg. He’s permitted to run for mayor in the Manitoba capital because he owns a second residential property in Winnipeg, as well as three commercial properties in the city.
Vogiatzakis said on Sept. 1 he intends to move to Winnipeg if he is elected on Oct. 28.
On Friday, he would not commit to the move.
“Right now, my vision is to build a stronger and a better Winnipeg for a better future for all of us, and if I have to drive 10 minutes to the city from St. Andrews, it doesn’t really matter. I’m still a Manitoba resident,” Vogiatzakis said at a news conference in Winnipeg’s West End.
He suggested no one cares where mayoral candidates live.
“Superman can come over from Montreal and say, ‘I’m going to change your city, I’m going to make your city healthy, I’m going to make it friendly, I’m going to make it the best city in the world.’ You would open your arms to invite this person in,” he said, describing Winnipeg as “one of the worst cities in the world.”
Several of the 11 other mayoral candidates told CBC News they believe it is important for the mayor of Winnipeg to live in the city.
“I think most Winnipeggers would agree it should be a basic rule — if you’re going to run for mayor of Winnipeg, you already live in Winnipeg,” said Scott Gillingham, who is seeking his second term as mayor.
Kevin Klein, who is running for mayor for a second time after finishing third in the 2022 election, questioned Vogiatzakis’s dedication.
“I think it shows there’s not really a commitment to the city,” Klein said.
WATCH | Nobody cares if mayoral candidates live outside Winnipeg: Mike Vogiatzakis:
Nobody cares if mayoral candidates live outside Winnipeg: Mike Vogiatzakis
Winnipeg mayoral candidate Mike Vogiatzakis, whose primary residence is in the rural municipality of St. Andrews, says it doesn’t matter where candidates live.
Don Woodstock, who is making a third run for mayor, called Vogiatzakis’s candidacy offensive.
“This person is talking about Winnipeg as if they know Winnipeg,” Woodstock said.
Candidate Joshua Pagdato, running for mayor for the first time, said Winnipeg has had “too many representatives that seem to be detached from the actual people that live here.”
First-time candidate Noah Redden and sophomore candidate Chris Clacio also said it matters if a mayoral candidate lives outside the city.
‘Here for the right reason’
Vogiatzakis said he doesn’t care what the other candidates think.
“There’s no mayoral candidate like me. I’m not politically connected. I’m here for the right reason. I care about the city. I don’t have political connections. I’m not part of the status quo. I’m here to change the city of Winnipeg. I’m here to make the city of Winnipeg better,” he said.
“I run a multimillion-dollar business in the funeral business. I don’t need to be mayor of the city, trust me. I could live my life every day, very comfortably without standing here and putting all the pressure on my shoulders. I’m doing this because I care.”
CBC has confirmed the 11 other mayoral candidates all live in Winnipeg neighbourhoods:
Mazher Alam: St. Vital.Chris Calcio: Burrows.Johnny Calderon: Osborne Village.Tracey Drexler: Westwood.Scott Gillingham: St. James.Brad Gross: Sinclair Park.Umar Hayat: Fort Richmond.Kevin Klein: Charleswood.Joshua Pagdato: North End.Noah Redden: Osborne Village area.Don Woodstock: Luxton.
Advance polls in Winnipeg’s election open on Monday. Election day is Oct. 28.