In this episode of WINNIPEG VOTES 2026, host Graham McDonald spoke to candidate Sylvie Schmitt, who is challenging incumbent councillor Matt Allard in St. Boniface. She is currently a trustee with the Franco-Manitoban School Division (Division scolaire franco-manitobaine) and is vice-chair of its school board.
“There has been a decline in the City of Winnipeg,” Schmitt said.
“I find that we need to have a better vision for the city of Winnipeg, short-term and long-term.”
She noted the closure of the Norwood Pool and Happyland Pool as examples of declining services and amenities in St. Boniface.
“When the community gets together and raises over seventy-plus thousand dollars to keep their community pool open, I think that’s a loud message that City Hall should have listened,” Schmitt said about the demolition of the Happyland Pool.
On transit, Schmitt is in favour of re-examining the changes that came with the June 2025 overhaul. She also supports increasing safety on buses and service to underserved areas.
On homelessness and addictions, Schmitt said an issue she often hears from St. Boniface Street Links is that people frequently must have experienced homelessness for an extended period before they can access services.
She believes a tiny home community could help alleviate homelessness and downtown revitalization could also play a role.
On safety, she supports more police surveillance in areas with high levels of crime and deploying more cadets to monitor high-crime areas.
She also supports “grassroots initiatives” by civilians to monitor community safety, such as the Bear Clan Patrol.
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