Firefighters endorse Murray's run to reclaim job as Winnipeg's mayor

The union representing Winnipeg firefighters has endorsed Glen Murray's campaign to reclaim his job as the city's mayor.

The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg have endorsed his attempt to win back the job he left in 2004, after spending six years in the mayor's office, Murray tweeted on Monday.

The UFFW regularly endorses candidates at both the municipal and provincial level, but did not endorse a candidate in the 2018 Winnipeg mayoral race.

The firefighters endorsed Heather Stefanson in the 2021 Progressive Conservative Party leadership race in Manitoba.

Former UFFW president Alex Forrest said hundreds of firefighters purchased PC party memberships in that race, which Stefanson won by a margin of 363 votes.

Murray says he values the UFFW endorsement in part because of the union's connection with the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba.

"They are, for me, a powerful ally and when I'm talking to the province about funding and I'm trying to build our political, labour and business coalition, they can actually get a better financial deal for the city," Murray said in an interview.

Murray said the UFFW did not ask for anything in return for its support.

"There was no quid pro quo," he said, addingthe union is familiar with his track record as a mayor.

Murray also said he agrees fire response in Winnipeg is underfunded.

Former councillor backs Gillingham

Mayoral candidate Scott Gillinghamalso picked up an endorsement Monday.

Former Point Douglas city councillor Mike Pagtakhan, who served from 2002 until 2018, is backing Gillingham's run for mayor, the candidate's campaign announced Monday.

Gillingham, the outgoing councillor for St. James, served alongside Pagtakhan for one term.

Along with Gillingham and Murray, nine other candidates are running for mayor: Idris Adelakun, Rana Bokhari, Chris Clacio, Robert-Falcon Ouellette,Shaun Loney, Jenny Motkaluk, Rick Shone,Desmond Thomasand Don Woodstock.

The municipal election is on Oct. 26.