Winnipeg Election 2022

Vivian Santos - Point Douglas

What got you into politics?

It first started when I was working for Brian Bowman as his legal assistant.  When he decided to run for the Mayoral Election in 2014, I was volunteering at the campaign office.  This is where I started to get involved with politics and really started to understand how Mayor and City Councillors could effectively make change in the city.

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

When Mayor Bowman won the election in 2014, his staff hired me to work at the Mayor’s Office.  Thereafter I transitioned to work for the previous Point Douglas City Councillor Mike Pagtakhan as his Executive Assistant for three years.  When Mike decided to retire in 2018, I put forward my name so that I may continue on the work that Mike had started. I have been at City Hall for 8 years now and with both my experience as an Executive Assistant working with the public administration and now as the elected official working with the community leaders, I have the most experience when it comes to navigating the complicated City of Winnipeg public administration and Council.

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?

I am a huge advocate for more city services when it comes to Community Services and Parks.  I believe that if we can invest into the people with complete communities, such as Affordable Transit & Recreational Programs, upgrades to recreational amenities like new playgrounds and parks, fixing all the community centres and building new gyms – the lives of the residents, families and seniors will be better as a whole.  Crime and Poverty is one of the biggest challenges the Point Douglas ward faces.  Therefore, providing affordable recreational programs for kids and seniors, investing into our community centres and parks is one of the biggest community needs. These investments must also go together with investments from the Province into Mental Health & Addictions and the Federal Government building more housing stock.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

I would encourage residents to visit my campaign website at vivian4pointdouglas.ca to read more about all the accomplishments and strategic investments I am passionate about.