A lifelong St. Boniface resident who’s been a French school board trustee and is National Health and Safety Coordinator for a 13,000 member union local, Sylvie Schmitt is one of 3 challengers for Matt Allard’s council seat. In Episode 37, she sets out the concerns she’s hearing from residents and businesses, and why her experience can craft solutions that will actually work.
Part 1 is a brief recap of recent goings-on and upcoming coverage and an introduction to this 2026 civic election interview.
4.07 Part 2 – Sylvie Schmitt lives in Norwood Flats and led the fight to save Norwood Pool – but “the elected councilor for the ward even voted to decommission it” and the City demolished it in 2019.
She explains her personal connection to the next free outdoor pool the City targetted in St. Boniface, Happyland Pool.
“The reason I’m running is because after I saw that the residents raised close to $90,000 to keep it open… and it’s been torn down, that was the turning point for me. We need somebody else at City Hall that will actually listen to the residents. “
A former lifeguard supervisor, Schmitt provides specific insights into the facilities and their importance to the community.
16.00– Residents in the sprawling ward have informed her of the radiating effects of homeless encampments and disorder.
Schmitt discusses the waves of thefts from businesses, garage, home and car (3 in her family) break-ins, and the need for community policing, citizen patrols and metal health units – and better lighting – to restore public safety. Hear her describe the frustrating experience felt by victims of “low priority” bike thefts with the lack of action when they find their possession being sold online “which discourages people from reporting.”
25.55 Part 3 – A longtime Transit user commuting to downtown, Schmitt has had her own bad experiences and is concerned for riders and bus drivers.
“At night I would not take the bus past a certain hour… I would find another means to get home.“
She’s in favour of a transit patrol but wants to examine the cost/benefit ratio of adding Community Safety Officers.
Ultimately, “the catch and release laws have to change, you have to have consequences for your actions.”
44.24 Part 4 – Infill housing and the disruptions caused by overloading neighborhoods is a big issue in St. Boniface and Schmitt maintains “growth should not come at the expense of community input.”
As councillor she’d hold her own regular public meetings about local development projects. She didn’t find the recent City-run consultations about a proposed aquatic centre truly listened to the community.
Schmitt explains how slanted consultations resulted in building bike lanes on Goulet that narrowed the roadway – obstructing emergency vehicles going to the Hospital – and eliminating parking for seniors in high-rises. “The Goulet part is not well-planned.”
In concluding the interview, Sylvie Schmitt assures voters “I have the community at heart,” citing her volunteer and school trustee background. “I’m here to be the voice of the people.”
Find out more at her campaign website – – https://sylvie4citycouncil.neocities.org/sylvie-schmitt-campaign
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Marty Gold’s latest column in the Winnipeg Sun-Tribune:
Canada’s Jewish community facing dark future under Carney
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COMING UP – ANOTHER CANDIDATE INTERVIEW IN ST. BONIFACE, AND AN INTERVIEW WITH DEPARTING ST. VITAL COUNCILLOR BRIAN MAYES