Melinda Warren is the new mayor of the RM of Springfield after receiving 2,370 votes, 341 more than her nearest competitor. She is also the incumbent councillor for Ward 4.

Coming in second was Margaret Marion-Akins (2,029), followed by Daniel Page (514) and Edwin Giesbrecht (512).

Warren said her community work helped her win.

“I’m very community oriented, I do a lot in the community, and I think that helps a lot. You need to be active in the community,” she said.

Seine River School Division saw all incumbents elected to office along with many new trustees.

In Ward 1 of Seine River School Division, which had four candidates running for three seats, incumbent Ward 2 trustee Vicky Kiansky won with 1,414 votes, followed by candidate Steve Proskurnik (1,066) and incumbent trustee Warren Reavely (988).

Neil Reavely did not earn a seat with 891 votes.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the new board, bringing together different experiences and perspectives, ” Kiansky said. “That’s what makes a great board, so I believe we will listen, ask questions and stay focused on what matters most, which is keeping kids at the centre.”

By the time you read this column, I will no longer be a city councillor. It feels a little surreal to be writing this, particularly since council has been a huge part of my life.

I’ve served in Steinbach City Council for a total of 20 years. First elected in 2006, I was subsequently re-elected in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. That’s a lot of elections, and a long time to serve in any position.

In that first election, I was only 30 years old. I wasn’t well-known in Steinbach at the time, and I knew that having an unusual last name wouldn’t help me at the ballot box. So, I did everything I could to raise my political profile.

I sent regular news releases to The Carillon and Steinbachonline. I bought newspaper and radio ads, put up election signs all over the city, and, most importantly, conducted an extensive door knocking campaign. By election day, I had personally knocked on over 4,000 doors.

Back in September, we read in the New York Times that Prime Minister Mark Carney made the bizarre proclamation that he had been preparing for the “extreme tail risk” of potential military action ordered by President Donald Trump against Canada. It was a shocking claim, and it was not the first time Canadians had to read statements from the prime minister about Canada, in foreign newspapers. Unfortunately, it would not be the last.

One interview with Prime Minister Carney produced multiple articles, leaving Canadians looking abroad for answers about their own government. In fact, Canadians had to subscribe to American media in order to read Canada’s news; a rather conspicuous irony considering the Liberal rhetoric regarding the Team Canada and Elbows Up approach to project Canadian unity and sovereignty.

More recently, attention has turned to the “associate membership” announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following Mr. Carney’s characterization of the relationship with the EU as a “unique alliance.”

A few weeks ago, Conservatives asked several pertinent questions in this column about the proposed arrangement and what it would mean for Canada. Would EU associate membership open Canada’s borders or impose new migration obligations? Would Prime Minister Carney be committing Canada to EU rules on labour mobility, spending and border policy? Would Canadian taxpayers be funding EU bureaucracy while small businesses contend with more costly regulations?

Preliminary election results for the Southeast. Those elected are in bold.

RM of De Salaberry

Reeve

Darrel Cure (Acclaimed)

Steinbach RCMP have arrested a man for breaking into a garage in the early morning hours of Oct. 22.

At 6:11 a.m., police received a call that a man was trying to break into a garage on Henry Street in Steinbach. The caller told police the man was looking around inside the attached garage and gave RCMP a description of the man.

When officers arrived at the home, they saw that the man had left and there was damage to the garage door frame and a screen had been removed from a garage window.

Officers patrolled the area and shortly after 6:40 a.m., they located a man riding a bicycle on Reimer Avenue, matching the description of the suspect. He was arrested immediately without incident. Upon searching him, officers found an axe on his belt and a knife wrapped in a towel in his sweater pocket.

Every November, communities across Manitoba recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While conversations about family violence become more visible during this time, the reality is that domestic violence affects individuals and families every day of the year. Awareness month gives us an opportunity to bring this issue into the open, challenge stigma, and remind survivors that they are not alone.

At Agape House, we see the need for these conversations firsthand. In 2025, our crisis line received 1,468 calls. In the first six months of 2026 alone, we received 891 calls. Behind each call is a person looking for information, support, safety, or simply someone who will listen. Some people are seeking emergency shelter, while others need counselling, housing support, or help understanding their options. Not everyone who contacts us is ready or able to leave an abusive relationship, but that does not make their need for support any less important.

These numbers also remind us why accessible services matter in southeast Manitoba. Domestic violence is not something that happens somewhere else. It affects people in our own communities—our neighbours, coworkers, friends, and families. Its impacts can extend to children, housing stability, finances, employment, and overall well-being.

Domestic violence is also more than physical violence. It can include emotional abuse, financial control, intimidation, isolation, sexual violence, and coercive control. Because many of these behaviours happen behind closed doors, abuse is not always visible to others.