A record number of women were elected to municipal office in Manitoba this year, marking a significant step toward greater gender representation in local government, but more work is needed to ensure council tables reflect the communities they serve.

Of the 339 women who ran in Manitoba’s 2026 municipal general elections, 213 were elected, setting a new provincial record, according to figures released by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM).

Women now account for nearly 25 per cent of elected municipal officials across the province, up from 20 per cent in both 2018 and 2022.

AMM President Kathy Valentino said she was thrilled to see more women put their names forward and ultimately secure seats at council tables.

“Super happy. I was super happy to see that more women had actually put their name on the ballot,” Valentino said. “And then, you know, almost 25 per cent were women was fantastic also.”

Valentino said the results reflect years of work by the AMM and other organizations to encourage women to consider municipal politics and provide them with the resources and support to pursue elected office.

Over the past four years, the AMM has hosted breakout sessions at its conventions, organized an annual women’s networking event and worked with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to promote women in local leadership.

The association has also supported initiatives organized by individual municipalities, including Brandon’s “Her Seat at the Table” event and a series of events hosted by women councillors in Winnipeg.

Valentino, who also serves as first vice-president of the FCM, said those efforts are intended to help women understand what running for municipal office involves and show them that support is available.

While she welcomed the election results, Valentino said women still represent a minority of elected municipal officials, making continued efforts to improve representation important.

“It’s so important that council tables have diverse voices around it,” she said. “And, you know, clearly women in these stats are showing it are still a minority at the council table.”

She said elected women have a role to play in encouraging others to consider running in the next municipal election, including having conversations with potential candidates and connecting them with resources and mentorship opportunities.

“We can’t kind of pick our foot off the gas pedal,” Valentino said. “We need to keep going on this momentum to get more women at the council table.”

Valentino also pointed to the importance of addressing practical barriers that can make municipal politics difficult for people with family responsibilities.

She said some municipalities are beginning to consider providing childcare support for councillors who need it to attend meetings. There are also discussions about introducing maternity and paternity leave provisions for elected officials, potentially allowing councillors to take up to three months away from their duties following the birth or adoption of a child.

Traditionally, missing a certain number of council meetings could put an elected official’s position at risk, creating additional challenges for those balancing family responsibilities with public service.

Valentino said municipalities should be willing to discuss and address these barriers rather than assume they are not an issue.

“We have to talk about those barriers because, you know, we can’t pretend that they’re not there,” she said. “We have to talk about them so that we can create this environment where there’s less of a barrier for the women to put their names forward.”

With nearly half of all successful candidates entering municipal office for the first time, Valentino also encouraged newly elected councillors to take advantage of the training and resources available to them as they begin their four-year terms.

She said the AMM works closely with the provincial minister of municipal affairs to help ensure elected officials have access to information and training to understand their responsibilities.

For first-time councillors, she recommended taking advantage of those opportunities and learning as much as possible about municipal government.

Now entering her fourth term on council, Valentino acknowledged that municipal decision-making can be a slow process, particularly when dealing with major projects and long-term community priorities.

However, she said the opportunity to serve at the level of government closest to residents makes the work rewarding.

“You have this feeling that you’re going to change the world and it takes a long time,” she said. “Process is slow, but so rewarding.”

Valentino also encouraged newly elected officials to consider the long-term implications of their decisions, noting that some initiatives may not be completed during a single council term.

The decisions made over the next four years, she said, will help shape the future of individual communities and leave a lasting legacy for residents.

“Your decisions you’re going to make now in these next four years are really decisions for the future,” Valentino said. “You’re going to leave a legacy. So when you make those decisions, that’s what you’re making it for.”

The 2026 municipal elections saw more than 825,000 votes cast across Manitoba, up from approximately 730,000 in 2022.

A total of 1,419 candidates ran for municipal office, compared with 1,380 in the previous election. Meanwhile, 48.3 per cent of elected officials, or 416 individuals, are newly elected to municipal office.

Valentino congratulated everyone who put their names forward, regardless of the election outcome, and said experienced municipal officials have an important role in supporting those beginning their first terms.

She encouraged elected officials to share their knowledge, mentor one another and work collaboratively over the coming years.

The AMM will host its Fall Convention in Brandon from Nov. 24 to 26, bringing together municipal leaders from across the province.

This year’s theme, “Forward Together,” focuses on collaboration and learning as municipal officials begin their next four years of service. The convention will provide opportunities for training, networking and knowledge-sharing among newly elected and returning officials.

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