CANORA- Mike Kwas has announced he will running again for mayor in the upcoming civic election this fall.
“For myself and the rest of council, it’s always been about trying to do what’s best for Canora,” Kwas said in a media release. “We all live here, pay the same taxes, use the same recreation facilities, drink the same water and drive on same roads as everyone else."
Kwas said that he and council are aware of what residents want and the community’s needs are – and that they often hear about what’s not done – but added that there’s a real and significant cost to many of things people want.
“I think council has done well to both consider people’s expectations and demonstrate financial responsibility,” he said. “I look forward to the challenge of moving forward and hope to be a part of making things even better.”
Kwas was first elected as mayor in the 2020 civic election. He said the big highlight of the last term was the construction and opening of the new aquatic park.
“The park was an instant tourism destination and really helped give Canora a boost,” he said.
Other notable projects included replacing curb and medians to facilitate Ministry of Highways’ paving of Norway Road, upgrades to the ball diamonds and tennis courts, paving of Eighth Avenue West, the construction of a new transfer station, installation of an effluent treatment system at the water treatment plant, significant repairs to the main sewer lift and continuing water main replacements.
Kwas also highlighted the installation of new welcome signs for the community and an outdoor stage at King George Park due to efforts from the town’s tourism committee.
“And, once the transfer station is built this year and the landfill is decommissioned next year, it should free up some capital dollars for council to focus on some of the bigger projects that may have been put on hold.”
Kwas said that as mayor, he’s worked to maintain good relationships with neighbouring rural municipalities. He said he was on a group that negotiated a new inter-municipal fire protection agreement for the region.
“Too often, people give the mayor all of the credit (or all of the blame), but council works as a team,” he said. “It’s as a group that we make things happen and then our staff takes council’s vision and makes it a reality.”
Kwas and his wife, Jessica, live and work in Canora and are raising three sons.
The next civic election will be on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
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