Winnipeg's wide-open mayoral race could feature as many as 8 well-known names

Winnipeg's wide-open mayoral race officially kicks off this weekend with the opening of the registration period for candidates vying to become the city's 44th mayor.

The city clerk's office will throw open its doors on Sunday to allow prospective mayoral candidates to sign their registration papers as soon as possible in what's expected to be a highly contested race to succeed Brian Bowman, who signalled midway through his second term as mayor that he would not seek a third. 

Candidates must register in order to raise and spend money on their campaigns without running afoul of city electoral rules.

Registration does not compel candidates to appear on the ballot on election day, slated for Oct. 26. Registering early, however, allows candidates to get a head start on raising money.

In 2018, Winnipeg mayoral candidates were allowed to spend a maximum of $236,818.63. The 2022 spending cap will rise according to a formula that takes into account inflation as well as the number of eligible voters.

Four candidates have already declared their intention to run for mayor and four other well-known politicians are either mulling a campaign or have been the subject of public opinion polls intended to gauge voter interest.

Here's what we know about the declared and potential candidates:

A self-described social entrepreneur, Shaun Loney was the first person to declare a mayoral run after Bowman announced he will not seek another term.

Loney, who founded the non-profit Building Urban Industries for Local Development and co-founded Aki Energy, is pitching himself as a mayor who would be socially conscious as well as business-savvy.

He was also the first candidate to make a concrete policy pledge. In February, he promised to reduce the workload for the Winnipeg Police Service by contracting out the responsibility for meeting the social-service needs of repeat 911 callers who place the heaviest demands of the police.

First elected to city council in a byelection in 2009, the councillor for River Heights-Fort Garry declared his intention to run for mayor in February.

Orlikow said he looks forward to campaigning as one candidate in a crowded field.

"I think it will be fun," Orlikow said Thursday at city hall, during a break in Thursday's council meeting. "Where I would get a little nervous is if no one was running. I hope everybody wants to run and the more the merrier

A Liberal by political affiliation and a mediator by profession, Orlikow said his campaign will focus on employment, the environment and the city's infrastructure deficit.