In this episode of WINNIPEG VOTES 2026, host Graham McDonald spoke with Antar Banik, a candidate for city councillor in Waverley West. Incumbent councillor Janice Lukes is not seeking re-election.
Banik said his work for the City of Winnipeg has given him direct experience with essential services, including transit, road construction, infrastructure and public works. He also pointed to his project management background as preparation for handling public funds and setting priorities.
“The tax money, that’s dollar value you need to be accountable for,” he said.
Traffic congestion is one of Banik’s main concerns. He said rapid growth has left parts of Waverley West with road infrastructure designed for much smaller communities, adding as much as 20 minutes to some residents’ commutes. He proposed widening roads where space permits and considering evening or overnight construction on major routes.
Banik said he would not raise property taxes to pay for the added cost of overnight work. Instead, he would review spending priorities, shift money within the budget and assign larger crews to finish projects more quickly.
On housing, Banik supported a combination of apartments, townhouses, four-unit infill and further greenfield development. He said the ward should offer housing for people at different income levels. He also called for more frequent snow clearing in neighbourhoods near the Perimeter Highway that experience heavy drifting.
At the Brady Road landfill, Banik favoured investing in composting and other technology to reduce odours rather than promising to relocate the facility. Responding to recent racist and homophobic graffiti in Waverley West parks, he called for stronger crime prevention and education that emphasizes equality and respect.
If elected, Banik said he would establish neighbourhood subcommittees throughout the ward and meet with them monthly. Residents would identify and rank local concerns, and he would report back on timelines, funding barriers and any involvement required from other levels of government.
To learn more about Antar Banik, his candidacy and his positions, check out the full interview on U Multicultural Channel 14 in Manitoba, Bell MTS channel 1029 in Winnipeg, U Radio on 88.7 FM in Manitoba and U Multicultural’s YouTube channel.
Disclaimer: As part of U Multicultural’s 2026 Winnipeg Municipal Election Coverage, candidates were invited to share messages with our audience. The views expressed in this article are the candidate’s own, and this article does not constitute an endorsement by U Multicultural.
Graham McDonald, U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centre