The mayor of The Pas has stepped down from his position ahead of the upcoming local election and has decided not to seek re-election this fall. Andre Murphy, who was elected as mayor of the northern Manitoba town in 2022, made the announcement online on Monday night, stating that he was resigning immediately.
Murphy confirmed his resignation to CBC News, clarifying that he is no longer serving as mayor and will not be a candidate in the upcoming election. The town will be without a mayor for nine weeks until new councils, including The Pas, are elected on October 28, with no byelection planned before then.
Deputy mayor Carrie Atkinson will take on most of Murphy’s day-to-day responsibilities until the election day. Murphy revealed that he and his family reached the decision last week, informing the council on Monday. Despite considering running for another term, he opted to step down after a change of heart during the summer.
Expressing his desire to spend more time with his family, including children and grandchildren residing in eastern Canada, Murphy emphasized his long-standing connection to The Pas. Reflecting on his tenure, he highlighted accomplishments such as fostering closer relationships with neighboring communities, streamlining local processes, and securing substantial funding for community projects.
Murphy expressed confidence in the town’s council and administration to continue the positive trajectory, stating that The Pas is poised for growth and development in the near future. CBC News has contacted town councillors in The Pas for further comments on Murphy’s resignation.
