Mayoral Campaign Launch Coverage

By Sam Samson CBC

Former and current First Nations chiefs were present at Bokhari’s event, as was Feast Cafe Bistro owner and entrepreneur Christa Bruneau-Guenther.

“I can describe my vision for Winnipeg in three words: trusted, connected and envied,” Bokhari said in a speech to about 80 supporters.

Bokhari said as mayor, she’d strive to make sure everyone has the same access to services in the city. She used community centres as one example where she sees disparity.

“I’m really going to be focusing on building community centres, building places within communities that people can go when they need something like youth centres, mental health services — those wraparound services,” she said in an interview.

“Those do not exist in the city as are needed. And if they do exist, they’re on a schedule that’s really not suitable or conducive to somebody in crisis.”

Bokhari spoke about her family, and how her parents’ determination as immigrants inspires her to continue in politics. She said she wants to focus on making everyone “feel welcome” in Winnipeg. She said there’s “a lot of institutional racist issues in the city.”

She credits Mayor Brian Bowman for bringing conversations about race to City Hall — including creating a human rights committee — but says there’s more that can be done.

“Not many people think a committee is going to help them at their back door,” she said.

“Brian is an ethical man and he’s trying. However, my lived experience is very different than Brian Bowman’s lived experience and every other councillor’s,” said Bokhari.

“I look a different way, I act a different way, I talk a different way. I come from a different world.”