Oswald Sawh Elected Mayor of Thompson, Defeating Two-Term Incumbent Colleen Smook in Manitoba Municipal Election

THOMPSON, Manitoba: Oswald Sawh has been elected mayor of Thompson, bringing an end to Colleen Smook’s eight years in office following a closely watched municipal election in northern Manitoba’s largest city.

Sawh, an experienced municipal politician and former deputy mayor, secured 45.5 per cent of the vote in Wednesday’s election, defeating Smook, who was seeking a third consecutive term as mayor.

According to unofficial election results, Sawh received 1,043 votes, while Smook finished second with 863 votes, representing 37.6 per cent of ballots cast. The third candidate, longtime city councillor Duncan Wong, received 388 votes, accounting for 16.9 per cent.

All six polling stations had reported their results by approximately 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, confirming Sawh’s victory and marking a significant leadership change for the northern Manitoba community.

The election attracted considerable attention because all three mayoral candidates brought substantial municipal government experience to the contest.

Sawh, a certified public accountant and founding member of the Thompson Humane Society, has been involved in the city’s civic and community affairs for more than two decades.

He moved to Thompson in 1993 and first won election to city council in 2002. He subsequently served two terms as a councillor, holding the position of deputy mayor during both terms.

After spending several years away from municipal politics, Sawh returned to city council following a successful byelection campaign in 2024.

His latest victory represents a major political achievement and places him in charge of a city that serves as an important economic, administrative and transportation centre for northern Manitoba.

Speaking after the election results were announced, Sawh acknowledged that the significance of his victory was still sinking in.

He described feeling considerable relief after seeing the final results, particularly following approximately three months of campaigning and conversations with residents.

The mayor-elect said he intends to begin his administration by consulting fellow council members to establish shared priorities and develop a practical direction for the next four years.

Public safety, particularly concerns surrounding Thompson’s downtown area, emerged as one of the central issues of his campaign.

Sawh believes his emphasis on community safety and municipal accountability resonated with residents who want greater attention to challenges affecting their daily lives.

He suggested that voters were looking for leadership capable of responding to those concerns while ensuring greater responsibility and transparency in municipal decision-making.

Improving public confidence in local government is expected to be another important focus as the incoming mayor prepares to work with the newly elected council.

Although the campaign resulted in the defeat of an incumbent mayor, Sawh expressed considerable respect for Smook and acknowledged her longstanding dedication to Thompson.

He described the outgoing mayor as a friend who has demonstrated a deep commitment to the city through years of public service.

Smook’s defeat marks the conclusion of an important chapter in Thompson’s municipal political history.

In 2018, she became the first woman elected mayor of Thompson, a city with a population exceeding 13,000.

She subsequently won a second term and served eight years as mayor, following earlier experience as a city councillor.

Her administration operated during a period when northern communities faced numerous challenges involving public safety, economic development, municipal services and changing community needs.

Despite failing to secure another mandate, Smook remained a significant contender in the election, finishing fewer than 200 votes behind Sawh.

The relatively narrow margin between the two leading candidates demonstrates the competitive nature of the mayoral race and the divided preferences of local voters.

Duncan Wong, the third candidate, also entered the election with considerable experience in municipal government.

A construction company owner, Wong had served three consecutive terms on Thompson city council and previously held the position of deputy mayor.

His candidacy provided voters with another experienced option, although he ultimately finished behind Sawh and Smook.

The Thompson election was part of a broader series of municipal contests held across northern Manitoba, where communities selected mayors, councillors and other local representatives.

Results from several northern municipalities showed a combination of competitive leadership races, successful incumbent campaigns and uncontested elections.

In Churchill, incumbent Mayor Mike Spence secured another term after receiving 263 votes, representing approximately 63 per cent of ballots cast.

His victory demonstrated continued electoral support for his leadership in the northern community, which is internationally recognized for its tourism industry and strategic location along Hudson Bay.

In Lynn Lake, Mayor Brandon Dulewich also won re-election, receiving 85 votes and approximately 55 per cent of the total.

Both victories contrasted with the outcome in Thompson, where voters chose to replace the sitting mayor with an experienced former councillor.

Meanwhile, results from several other northern communities were still being finalized late Wednesday evening.

As of approximately 11:45 p.m. on election night, official outcomes had not yet been declared in Flin Flon, The Pas or Snow Lake.

Other communities experienced a different electoral situation, with some municipal officials returning to office without facing opponents.

In Gillam, a small northern community located approximately 740 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, the mayor and all four councillors were acclaimed.

A similar situation occurred in Grand Rapids, where the mayor and councillors secured their positions without contested elections.

In the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, all councillors were acclaimed, while Valerie Berscheid won the position of reeve with approximately 54 per cent of the vote.

The varying results highlight differences in political participation and electoral competition across Manitoba’s northern municipalities.

While some communities experienced closely contested leadership races, others had fewer candidates than available positions, allowing existing or nominated officials to take office without a public vote.

According to the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the number of uncontested municipal positions declined compared with the 2022 election.

The reduction in acclamations suggests that more residents were willing to seek local public office, providing voters with greater opportunities to choose between competing candidates.

Municipal elections remain particularly important for northern Manitoba communities because local governments play a central role in addressing infrastructure needs, public safety, housing pressures and economic development.

In Thompson, the incoming administration will face the challenge of balancing these responsibilities while responding to the expectations of residents who supported political change.

As northern Manitoba’s largest city, Thompson also serves as a regional hub for surrounding communities, making its municipal leadership important beyond city boundaries.

Sawh’s experience in financial management and municipal government could influence his approach to budgeting, accountability and long-term planning.

However, his immediate challenge will be translating campaign commitments into practical policies while building productive relationships with fellow council members.

His victory also demonstrates the importance of public safety as an electoral issue, particularly in communities where residents have expressed concerns about conditions in downtown areas.

For Smook, the election marks the end of an eight-year mayoral tenure that included the historic achievement of becoming Thompson’s first female mayor.

For Sawh, it signals the beginning of a new chapter in his political career and an opportunity to shape the direction of a city he has called home for more than three decades.

With the election concluded, attention will now turn toward the incoming mayor’s priorities, the composition of the new council and the decisions that will guide Thompson over the next four years.

The outcome represents both a significant political transition for the city and a reminder that municipal elections can produce substantial leadership changes even when candidates have longstanding records of community service.

Courtesy: CBC