The mayor of The Pas has tendered his resignation ahead of the upcoming local election and has also decided not to seek re-election. Andre Murphy, who first took office as the mayor of the northern Manitoba town in 2022, made the announcement online on Monday night that he was stepping down from his role with immediate effect.
Confirming his resignation to CBC News, Murphy stated that he will not be running for re-election this fall, leaving The Pas without a mayor for the next nine weeks until new councils are elected on October 28. There will be no mayoral byelection held during this interim period. Deputy mayor Carrie Atkinson will be handling most of the day-to-day responsibilities until the election day as per Murphy’s statement.
Having deliberated with his family, Murphy disclosed that the decision to resign was made the previous week and communicated to the council on Monday. Despite considering another term in office, he had a change of heart during the summer, citing his commitment to fully engage when undertaking responsibilities.
Expressing his desire to spend more time with his family residing in eastern Canada, Murphy emphasized his strong bond with The Pas, where he has lived for over 50 years. Reflecting on his tenure, he highlighted collaborations with neighboring communities and government bodies, addressing local challenges, and securing substantial funding for community projects.
Murphy expressed confidence in the town’s council and administration to continue the progress made during his term, emphasizing that The Pas is poised for a promising future. He applauded the potential opportunities on the horizon for northern Manitoba and reiterated his support for the region’s growth.
CBC News has reached out to town councillors in The Pas for their comments on Murphy’s resignation.