Committed to a life of service

Scott Gillingham believes Winnipeg’s best days are ahead — and he knows building a stronger city takes hard work, teamwork, and the courage to tackle big challenges head-on.

Raised on a farm near Carman, Manitoba, Scott learned early that results don’t come without effort. From long days on the farm, to four seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, to climbing 60-foot poles as a young lineman trainee with Manitoba Hydro, he developed a deep respect for the people who do the hard work that keeps communities moving.

That commitment to service shaped his more than 20 years as a pastor, where he worked alongside families, community leaders, and neighbourhood organizations to solve problems and strengthen communities. It also led him to public life, first as City Councillor for St. James in 2014, and then as Mayor of Winnipeg in 2022.

At City Hall, Scott built a reputation as a practical, collaborative leader focused on long-term results. As Chair of the Finance Committee, he led the development of Winnipeg’s first-ever multi-year balanced budget — helping the city protect essential services through a $220 million pandemic-era revenue shortfall.

As Mayor, Scott has brought that same steady leadership to the big issues facing Winnipeg. He has moved forward a new citywide transit network, advanced the most ambitious housing reforms Winnipeg has seen in decades, strengthened public safety, invested in core infrastructure, and finally ended the 45-year debate over reopening Portage & Main to pedestrians.

Scott also serves as Vice-Chair of Canada’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus, giving Winnipeg a stronger voice on national issues like housing, public safety, infrastructure, and economic growth.

Scott is running for re-election to keep building Winnipeg — with safer streets, stronger neighbourhoods, more homes, better services, and a growing economy that creates opportunity for the next generation.

Scott and his wife Marla are longtime residents of St. James, where they raised their two children.