Winnipeg Election 2022

Steve Snyder - Mynarski

What got you into politics?

I, like many other young professionals, had to move away from the City to get opportunities that aren’t available here. I uprooted my childre, moved them away from their friends, family, and loved ones to get better opportunities. My mother lost her regular visits, my brother lost access to his nephews and niece, my cousins could only see us via online video, all because Winnipeg doesn’t afford opportunities for career growth and upward mobility.

Since returning in 2020 I have noticed a lot more changes. Many businesses have closed only to be replaced with social services. Selkirk Avenue — once the heart of the North End’s business community — has almost halved the number of businesses.

I got into politics to change this. I want to make sure this city is the type of city that my kids will get opportunities in without having to move. And I want to make our communities the types of places that cultivate enterprise and create value for the people living here.

What experience will you bring to compliment your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee)?

I worked for the City of Winnipeg for 8 years before leaving the city, most for the Community Services department. While away from the city I worked in Sport and Recreation policy, specifically in strategic planning, and sports as a crime prevention method.

Since returning I have gained experience working in the CFS system and see daily the issues surrounding children both in and aging out of care.

I have also sat on the board of many non-for-profit organizations, and started some.

I’m a current board member of Bike Winnipeg and YIMBY Winnipeg, both pushing for policy reform at the civic level (although on temporary leave due to the election). I am the former chair of my local residents’ association (Seven Oaks) and regularly attend meetings for the Luxton RA.

While in Australia I also started and did work for non-for-profits, starting an independent business alliance for the town I lived in.

What are some issues that you would like to stand for in your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee), and why are these issues important to you?

Two of the most important issues for me are traffic safety and neighbourhood pride.

I was hit by a car when I was very young right outside my home. With young children of a similar age as I was when I was struck this issue is very important to me personally. But it’s also very important to me because of the volume of traffic deaths and serious injuries we see yearly in the city.

Neighbourhood pride is a combination of issues. It’s trash, it’s local businesses, it’s knowing your neighbour… and so much more.

There are two really important sides to revitalization in neighbourhoods, and they need to work in tandem.

One is filling the community with community ownership — assets owned by local people, not out-of-town corporations.

The other is emotional ownership. Every place is able to be loved, but unfortunately many in our community don’t have those feelings for the place we call home. We shouldn’t have to travel to visit places that we love,. We should expect them right in our own community.