Mayoral Race

Sam Katz (incumbent)

Born in Rehovot, Israel, Katz immigrated to Winnipeg with his family before his first birthday and has lived in the city ever since.

The entrepreneur earned a degree in economics from the University of Manitoba and started his first business shortly after. Katz is known as a promoter as well as the owner of the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Katz says he wants to continue his business-like model for Winnipeg to promote growth and try to build the city's vibrancy.

"If business grows, and if you get more people coming, more business coming to your city, there are more jobs," says Katz.

"The whole idea is for the youth to understand that it's not about making a living — they can actually make a life."

To attract business, Katz says, Winnipeg needs lower business taxes, which he first promised in his winning platform in June 2004.

Although initiatives from all three levels of government are needed, the business tax remains a civic matter.

"I intend to reduce the business tax [from 9.5 per cent] to 7.75 [per cent] right across the city."

Katz would also like to eliminate the business tax entirely, he says — if another source of revenue can be found to replace it.

Similarly, Katz says he supports development in Assiniboine Park if a private source of revenue can be found to assist in the maintenance and if the changes do not compromise green space.

Katz says he opposes raising property taxes as well. "Until the city gets its own house in order, until we are running as efficiently as possible, I won't even talk about raising property taxes."

Recently the city allocated $43 million as part of a recreational policy to enhance community centres. Katz agreed to allow recreational super-centres to replace existing ones only if the Greater Council of Winnipeg Community Centres approved of it.

Telephone: 204.927.5289
E-mail: sam@samkatz.ca
Website: www.samkatz.ca

Candidate profile by Jack Rach, a journalism major in the Creative Communications program at Red River College.