Manitoba could make councillors, school trustees take leave of absence to pursue MLA bid

Municipal councillors and school board trustees in Manitoba may soon face new rules if they want to make the jump to provincial politics.

A bill now before the legislature would require them to take unpaid leaves of absence to run for provincial office.

Right now, municipal councillors must resign their seats to run provincially, while school board trustees can continue in their roles without any changes.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen saidit makes sense to have similar rules for trustees and councillors.

He also saidit could lead to fewer municipal byelections, because municipal councillors would no longer have to resign and could simply resume their council job if they're not elected provincially.

Opposition New Democrat Leader Wab Kinew saidthe province ought to be opening the door for more people to run for office, not putting up barriers.

Goertzen saidthe province decided to examine its own rules for politicians seeking provincial officeafter Winnipeg city councillor Sherri Rollinschose to seek the Liberal party nomination for the federal riding of Winnipeg South Centre earlier this year. Rollins, who hassince withdrawn from the race, wasn't required to leave her municipal council duties.