The Louis Riel School Division’s newest trustee vows to be inclusive as he steps into a role left vacant by his controversial predecessor, who was suspended three times for what the board called “transphobic social media posts.”
Ian Walker won with a large majority of the 2,412 votes cast in Thursday’s byelection, in which five candidates vied for the job. He received 1,554 votes and his closest rival, Sandra Saint-Cyr, received 430.
“I am overwhelmed and incredibly grateful in this moment knowing that my community has put their trust in me and elected me as their school trustee in LRSD Ward 1,” Walker said in an emailed statement.
“Over the past nine weeks, I knocked on over 5,000 doors, listened to voters and heard what they had to say. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our public school system is equitable, inclusive and that our schools have the resources necessary to set our children up for success. “
Walker replaces Francine Champagne, who resigned in November.
The board of trustees voted unanimously earlier that same month to take disciplinary action against Champagne after an online comment decried as racist was brought to their attention.
The board voted unanimously for a three-month suspension — the maximum possible under the Manitoba Public Schools Act.
It was the third consecutive suspension handed to Champagne since she was elected to the board in 2022.
She was first suspended from her role, also for three months, in June 2023 for social media posts the board said “targeted the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”
Walker steps into the role with 19 years of experience as an educator. He is currently a Grade 1-2 teacher in the River East Transcona School Division and has also taught grades 1-5, spent five years as a reading recovery teacher and started his career as an educational assistant, his campaign bio says.
Walker has been a lifelong member of the Norwood community, where he lives with his partner, Sarah, and their two children, Owen and Max.
He attended French immersion schools in Louis Riel School Division, a tradition now continued by his children, his bio says.