As Winnipeg prepares for the municipal election on October 28, voters in River Heights-Fort Garry will choose a new representative at City Hall. Among the candidates is Georgina Sabesky, who spent 16 years working alongside longtime councillor John Orlikow and now hopes to bring that experience directly to the council chamber.
Speaking with Graham McDonald on Winnipeg Votes 2026 on U Multicultural Channel, Sabesky reflected on a career shaped by community work rather than political ambition.
“My background actually started in drama and education,” she said, describing how years spent teaching, creating art, and working with people eventually led her into municipal politics.
One story stood out. Sabesky recalled transforming the neglected Ash Street Pocket Park, once known for safety concerns and disruptive activity. “We took out the pony wall, cleared out the sight lines, and made it an open and inviting space,” she explained. The result, she said, was a safer gathering place that residents could genuinely enjoy.
Throughout the interview, Sabesky returned to a recurring theme: local government works best when it helps residents turn ideas into action. Rather than waiting for problems to escalate, she argued that City Hall should focus on prevention, partnerships, and community-driven solutions.
She pointed to neighbourhood safety initiatives, support for community centres, and stronger connections with organizations already working on housing and social issues. On homelessness, Sabesky acknowledged that municipalities have limitations but emphasized that successful projects often emerge when city, provincial, and community partners work together.
The candidate also highlighted concerns she hears regularly at the doorstep. Better sidewalk maintenance, practical transit improvements, accessible public spaces, libraries, and support for newcomers all ranked high on her list of priorities.
For newcomers and international students, she stressed the importance of helping people navigate government systems and connect with available resources. “When people are newcomers, they don’t always understand what the resources are to them,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sabesky hopes to strengthen community centres, expand recreation opportunities, and create public spaces that keep neighbourhoods connected, vibrant, and welcoming.
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.
Yuliia Kovalenko, U Multicultural Journalism