Scott Gillingham

Scott Gillingham is a Canadian politician and pastor who has served as the mayor of Winnipeg since 2022. A former member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, he represented the St. James riding as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. Gillingham's political career transitioned from provincial to municipal politics, culminating in his election as the 45th mayor of the city, succeeding Brian Bowman.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Gillingham attended local schools before pursuing higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Manitoba. He later completed a Master of Business Administration from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. Prior to entering politics, Gillingham worked for over a decade as a pastor at the Eastview Community Church in the Transcona area of Winnipeg, where he was involved in numerous community outreach initiatives.

Political career

Gillingham was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the 2016 provincial election, winning the constituency of St. James for the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. During his tenure as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), he served in several roles, including as the legislative assistant to the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living. He was a member of the Treasury Board and sat on various committees, such as the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. Gillingham was re-elected in the 2019 election before announcing he would not seek re-election in 2021 to run for mayor of Winnipeg.

Mayor of Winnipeg

Gillingham officially entered the 2022 mayoral race following the decision of incumbent Brian Bowman not to seek a third term. His campaign platform focused on issues of public safety, fiscal responsibility, and infrastructure investment, particularly addressing the city's police service and road repair backlog. He defeated a field of candidates that included Glen Murray, Robert-Falcon Ouellette, and Kevin Klein to win the mayoralty. Upon taking office on November 1, 2022, he prioritized the city's budget, working with the Winnipeg City Council to approve the 2023 municipal budget. His administration has also dealt with challenges related to homelessness, the redevelopment of the Portage Place mall, and negotiations with other levels of government, including the Government of Manitoba led by Premier Heather Stefanson and the Government of Canada.

Electoral history

In the 2016 Manitoba general election, Gillingham won the St. James seat with 4,420 votes, defeating NDP candidate Deborah Flood. He was re-elected in 2019 with an increased plurality. In the 2022 Winnipeg municipal election, Gillingham secured the mayoralty, receiving 27.5% of the vote in a crowded field under the first-past-the-post system, a victory confirmed by the City of Winnipeg's election office.

Personal life

Gillingham is married to Rebecca Gillingham, and the couple has three children. He is an active member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and has cited his faith as a guiding principle in his public service. Outside of politics, he has been involved with local organizations such as the St. James-Assiniboia School Division and the United Way of Winnipeg.

Category:Mayors of Winnipeg Category:Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba MLAs Category:21st-century Canadian politicians Category:Living people