KLEIN: The case for term limits in municipal politics

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It’s time for a serious conversation about term limits in municipal politics. In Winnipeg, the majority of city councillors have held their positions for over a decade.

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Yet, as we look around the city, one has to ask: what has really changed? Is life better? Are our streets in better condition? Are services more efficient? The answers to these questions are increasingly hard to justify, especially when you consider how much more we’re paying for the same, or even worse, results.

During the past 10 years, property taxes in Winnipeg have increased by more than 25%. Water and sewer fees are up by over 15%. We’re paying more in frontage fees, transit fares, parking fines, permits, and penalties. But what are we getting in return? Are our roads smoother and less congested? Is public transit safer and more reliable? Does our city look cleaner and more inviting? For most Winnipeggers, the answer is no. Despite the increasing costs, we’re not seeing the improvements that should come with those hikes.

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One of the problems with the current system is the tendency for incumbents to remain in power for years on end, often coasting to re-election with minimal competition. In Winnipeg, incumbents are almost always re-elected. In the last several municipal elections, very few sitting councillors have been seriously challenged. This raises an important question: if city councillors were employees in a private company, would they still have their jobs? Would you hire any of these councillors to run your business based on the city’s current performance? It’s doubtful.

Winnipeggers are paying more every year to support the city’s bloated bureaucracy and its entrenched political class. City councillors receive raises each year, regardless of their performance. How many of us in the private sector can say the same? If your performance was on par with that of the City, would you still be up for a salary increase, or would you be looking for a new job? Yet, our elected officials continue to enjoy not only their steady raises but also perks like free parking, generous expense accounts, and travel opportunities, all under the guise of making Winnipeg better. But is Winnipeg really getting better?

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We need to consider the role of long-term incumbency in stifling progress and fresh ideas. When the same people occupy the same positions for years — sometimes decades — they become entrenched in the system. They develop close relationships with big donors, public sector unions, and various interest groups. Over time, they become more beholden to these groups than to the citizens they were elected to serve. This isn’t unique to Winnipeg — it’s a problem seen across many municipalities. The longer someone stays in office, the harder it becomes to implement real change.

Term limits could break this cycle. By limiting city councillors to two terms in office, we can ensure that fresh ideas and new energy are regularly injected into the system. New councillors would bring different perspectives, challenge the status quo, and be less likely to have longstanding ties to donors and interest groups. They would be more focused on delivering real results for the people who elected them, rather than simply maintaining the system that keeps them in power.

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Without term limits, we risk creating a political class that is more interested in preserving its own power than in serving the public. City councillors who have been in office for too long often lose touch with the very people they’re supposed to represent. They become insulated from the frustrations and concerns of everyday citizens. When was the last time you felt that your city councillor really made a difference in your life? Can you name a single initiative or project spearheaded by your councillor that has had a meaningful impact on your day-to-day experience as a Winnipegger?

The sad reality is that for many of us, the answer is no. City councillors are paid handsomely, but the results simply don’t match the compensation. Our roads are still in disrepair, public transit is plagued by safety concerns and inefficiencies, and many neighbourhoods continue to struggle with cleanliness and upkeep. Yet, year after year, these councillors are re-elected with little to no competition, enjoying the benefits of incumbency while the city stagnates.

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By implementing term limits, we can disrupt this cycle. Two terms and you’re out. This would ensure a constant influx of fresh ideas and new perspectives in city government. It would prevent councillors from becoming too comfortable in their positions and too reliant on the support of big donors or the public service. Fresh faces would bring fresh approaches, and they would be more likely to take bold steps to address the real issues facing our city.

Some may argue that experience is important, and that term limits would prevent us from benefiting from the wisdom of long-serving councillors. But let’s be honest — has that experience made a noticeable difference in our city’s trajectory over the last ten years? Are we really better off having the same group of councillors in power year after year?

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It’s time to recognize that long-term incumbency is doing more harm than good. Term limits would create a political environment where new ideas can flourish, and where elected officials are more accountable to the people they serve. It’s not about punishing councillors for wanting to serve — it’s about creating a system that prioritizes results over entrenchment.

Winnipeg deserves better. We deserve a city government that is dynamic, responsive, and willing to take on the challenges we face head-on. We deserve councillors who are not beholden to big donors or entrenched interests, but who are committed to improving the lives of their constituents. By implementing term limits, we can move toward that future.

Let’s stop settling for the status quo. It’s time to bring new energy into City Hall and ensure that the people making decisions about our city’s future are doing so with fresh eyes and a renewed commitment to making Winnipeg the best it can be. Two terms, and you’re out — it’s a simple solution that could make all the difference.

— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, a former city councillor and President & CEO of Klein Group Ltd.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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