Inspiring Future Leaders in Boissevain–Morton

By: Jennifer Beard

When Boissevain–Morton’s council and municipal staff opened the doors on April 9th for A Seat at the Table, they weren’t just hosting an information session—they were extending an invitation. The evening brought together guests, councillors, and staff for an honest, engaging look at what it means to serve in local government, why people choose to run, and how residents can step forward as leaders in their community.

The idea for the event grew from Head of Council Judy Swanson’s participation in Brandon’s Her Seat at the Table initiative—an empowering program designed to support women pursuing municipal leadership. As the program explains, it helps candidates “build confidence, navigate the election process, and lead with purpose,” while ensuring councils reflect the diversity and strength of their communities. Inspired by its impact, Judy brought the concept home, and with full support from council and staff, the Boissevain–Morton version was born.

Learning From Those Who Lead

One of the most compelling parts of the evening was hearing directly from current council members—why they first ran, what keeps them motivated, and how long they’ve served. Their combined experience spans decades:

• David Stead – 35 years, serving since 1991, summed it up simply: “All in all it is rewarding.”

• Rob Adams – 24 years

• Eric Reichert – 16 years

• Rhonda Coupland – 12 years, who described Boissevain–Morton as “the best place to live, work, and play.”

• George Heide – 8 years

• Mike McCallum – 4 years, who said, “I think I’m winning,” when asked how his first term is going.

• Judy Swanson – 14 years total, including 6 in Saskatchewan and 8 in Boissevain–Morton, shared that you “want to do it because it means something to you.”

Their reflections painted a clear picture: people join council because something sparks their interest, but they stay because the work matters.

Behind the Scenes: The Role of Administration

Chief Administrative Officer Leo Poulin, who has been with the municipality for 10 years (eight as CAO), offered insight into the administrative side of municipal governance. He described his role as “time-consuming but rewarding,” emphasizing that with the support of staff, his team works to implement council’s decisions and maintain financial stability.

Judy reinforced the structure set out in Manitoba’s Municipalities Act:

Council sets the plan. Staff implement the plan.

Leo, she noted, is the essential link between the two.

How Local Government Works in Boissevain–Morton

The session also walked participants through the mechanics of municipal governance:

• Boissevain–Morton is an at-large municipality, meaning councillors represent the whole municipality rather than specific wards.

• Council meets every three weeks at 8 a.m., typically until noon.

• Meetings are open to the public and include agendas, minutes, and formal voting procedures.

• When required under legislation, council may move in-camera for confidential discussions.

• Residents may speak at meetings if they register in advance.

• Council decisions can and do change based on public input—Judy shared an example where community feedback prompted council to revisit and revise a decision after realizing more research was needed.

As council members emphasized, “We work for you.”

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Municipal Election

Leo will serve as the Senior Election Official for the upcoming municipal election on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Key dates include:

• Head of Council registration: May 1 – September 20

• Councillor registration: June 30 – September 20

• Withdrawal deadline: One day after registration closes

• If only one Head of Council candidate registers, they cannot withdraw once their name is submitted.

• Candidates must collect signatures from 1% of the population—24 signatures for Boissevain–Morton.

• All candidates must submit campaign financial statements.

• Voting options will include advance voting, sealed-envelope voting, mobile voting, and in-person voting on election day.

Candidate packages and questions can be directed to Leo at the Town Office.

Challenges, Progress, and Pride

When asked whether council had “failed” at anything, members pointed instead to long-term challenges—most notably the lagoon project, which has been in development for 12 years and is finally set to begin in 2026. They also highlighted the new gravel pit as a strong investment for the municipality.

Looking ahead, council identified several priorities for the next term:

• Completing the lagoon project

• Addressing the housing shortage

• Advancing the Water Treatment Plant

• Exploring needs such as a new daycare and new ice rink

Judy closed the evening with a sentiment that resonated throughout the event:

She is “very proud of what has been done in the community.”

A Community Invitation

The evening wasn’t just an information session—it was an open door. It showed residents that municipal leadership is accessible, meaningful, and grounded in service. It demonstrated that council members are neighbours first, decision-makers second, and always committed to the well-being of Boissevain–Morton.

Most importantly, it encouraged residents to imagine themselves in those seats—because the future of the community depends on people who care enough to step forward.

Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Boissevain-Morton Facebook Page.