Tackle the attendance problem
Winnipeg School Division has an attendance problem. My priority is to find out why, and to correct it.
Candidate for School Trustee
Jamie Bonner
Winnipeg School Division Ward 4 Winnipeg’s West End
About
Meet Jamie
Hello, my name is Jamie Bonner and I’m running to be your Trustee for Winnipeg School Division Ward 4.
After growing up in Winnipeg and finishing school here, I thought I’d broaden my horizons with travel. After 10 years living and working in Europe and the Middle East I returned home to Winnipeg and started a family. Twenty years later I still call Ward 4 home.
I have watched my son progress through WSD schools — he’s now starting his third year of university — while my daughter has begun grade 11.
I’ve been a civil servant for the past 17 years and was involved in my union for 16 years, starting as a Chief Shop Steward and going on to serve as Regional Vice President for Manitoba.
Why I’m running
Jamie BonnerWhat I’d bring to the trustee table are qualities of respect, being able to listen and learn, and advocacy for Ward 4 residents.
Platform
What I’ll work on
First and foremost, the children are the most important aspect of our education system.
Widen the school meal program
I’d like to widen the school meal program so students can improve their minds without having to worry about empty stomachs.
Renovate and green our ageing schools
I’d like to ensure our ageing schools are renovated and greened, making them more cost efficient, sustainable and climate controlled.
Open schools for the community
I’d like to encourage immersion programs where the demand is feasible, and to have school gyms open into the summer to be used as community hubs.
Stronger financial accountability
I’d like to bring in stronger financial accountability and transparency, and to build a divisional financial reserve fund — so that when times are lean and provincial funding is frozen, we can maintain programs without raising taxes.
The Role
What does a school trustee do?
Trustees are elected to govern the division, not to run individual schools. Here is what the job actually involves.
Set the vision
Work with senior administration to set the direction and priorities for the whole division.
Approve the budget
Review and approve division policies and the annual budget, and oversee how public money is spent.
Support learning
Support safe, inclusive and effective learning environments for every student in the division.
Resource the schools
Make sure schools have the staff and the resources they need to do their work.
Represent the ward
Bring the perspectives of Ward 4 residents into board discussions and decisions.
Decide as a board
Trustees decide collectively. A trustee’s job is to persuade colleagues, then be accountable for the board’s decisions.
Trustee duties are set out in Manitoba’s Public Schools Act.
The Ward
About Ward 4
The Winnipeg School Division elects nine trustees, one from each ward. Ward 4 covers part of Winnipeg’s West End, running roughly from Portage Avenue north to Notre Dame Avenue, near Garfield Street, Wellington Avenue, and the CPR La Rivière corridor.
Not sure if you live in Ward 4? Check the City of Winnipeg ward boundary maps.
Schools in the ward
- Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute 9–12
- General Wolfe School 7–9
- Greenway School N–6
- Isaac Brock School N–9
- John M. King School N–6
- Principal Sparling School N–6
- Wellington School N–6
Voting
How to vote
Election day is Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and you can vote early from October 5.
Election day
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
New for 2026: you may vote at any voting location in your council ward, not just one assigned place.
Vote early
Advance voting runs from October 5. Any eligible voter may use any advance location, anywhere in the city.
-
City Hall (510 Main St)
Oct 5–9, 13–16 and 19–23, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Open late to 8 p.m. on Thursday Oct 22. Closed Oct 12 for Thanksgiving. -
Malls
Oct 6–11 and Oct 16–18 at various centres. -
Community locations
Oct 19–22, 4 p.m.–8 p.m., across all wards.
Locations and hours are subject to change — confirm on the City’s advance voting page. Voting by mail is also available.
Can you vote for trustee?
The rules for school trustee are stricter than for mayor and councillor. To vote for a trustee you must be:
- A Canadian citizen
- At least 18 on October 28, 2026
- An actual resident of the school division for at least six months — that is, since April 28, 2026
- Living in your school division ward on election day
Owning property in the division is not enough. Non-residents cannot vote for school trustee.
What to bring
If your name is not on the voters list, bring either:
- One piece of government-issued photo ID showing your name and address, or
- Two authorized documents that prove your name, at least one showing your current address
Original documents only. Photocopies and phone screenshots are not accepted.
Contact
Get in touch
Questions, ideas, or concerns about Ward 4 schools? I’d like to hear them.
No donations, no lawn signs
I’m not asking for donations. And I won’t be putting up lawn signs — they’re made to be thrown away after one election, and I’d rather not add to that waste.
The best way to help is to talk to your neighbours, share this page, and vote on October 28.