The mayor of The Pas has stepped down from his position just weeks before the upcoming local election and has also announced that he will not be seeking re-election this fall. Andre Murphy, who was elected as the mayor of the northern Manitoba town in 2022, made the announcement online on Monday evening, confirming to CBC News that he has resigned from his role with immediate effect.
With Murphy’s resignation, The Pas will be without a mayor for approximately nine weeks until new councils are elected on October 28, including in The Pas. Deputy mayor Carrie Atkinson will be taking over most of the day-to-day responsibilities until the election day.
In a recent statement, Murphy revealed that the decision to resign was made after discussions with his family, leading to the conclusion that it was the right time to step down. Initially contemplating running for another term, Murphy ultimately decided against it during the summer.
Expressing his desire to spend more time with his family, Murphy emphasized his long-standing connection to The Pas and its community, where he has resided for over 50 years. Despite stepping down, he remains optimistic about the town’s future and highlighted the progress made during his tenure, including fostering closer relationships with neighboring communities, addressing local challenges, and securing substantial grants for various projects.
Assuring that The Pas is in capable hands with the council and administration, Murphy expressed his confidence in the town’s continued development. He acknowledged the potential opportunities for growth in northern Manitoba and extended his support for the region’s future endeavors.
CBC News has contacted town councillors in The Pas for further comments on Murphy’s resignation.