Four people running for council in Emerson, Man., are weighing their options two days before the town's municipal election, over an issue that may force them to choose between their day jobs and elected office.

One candidate, Terry Kreitz, has been running for mayor of Emerson, a town of about 655 people located on the Canada-U.S. border in south-central Manitoba, in advance of Wednesday's election.

Kreitz also works for Canada Border Services. The Public Service Commission had adopted new regulations earlier this year, stipulating that any of their employees at Canada Border Services has to receive permission in order to run.

While Kreitz did receive permission to run for mayor, another part of the federal regulation states that employees will have to take an unpaid leave of absence from their jobs if elected.

Appeal rejected

Kreitz appealed the decision, but the appeal was rejected. He told CBC News on Monday that he was disappointed by the commission's rules, adding he doesn't think it's the right decision. He is preparing a general mail-out to residents with some election-day advice, he said.

"Vote for the candidate of their choice, but I think it's very important that they know if they vote for me, the way things stand right now … I won't be able to hold the position of mayor because I can't afford to give up my job," Kreitz said.

Three other candidates running for Emerson council, who also work for Canada Border Services, have been told the same thing by the Public Service Commission. They are:

• Larry Propp, who has been on council for 17 years.
• Jeff Rodewald, a former councillor.
• Tim Lazaruk, who has never been on council before.

The four will meet Monday night to discuss their next steps as candidates.

Former Emerson mayor Wayne Arseny has been told he can continue working at Canada Border Services if he becomes mayor, since he works in another community.

Regulations to ensure impartiality

Linda Gobeil, senior vice president of the Public Service Commission, said Monday that the regulations ensure that employees' political pursuits are not "impairing the ability of individuals to perform their duties in a politically impartial matter," she said

Gobeil added that it is the case especially given the role that Emerson border staff play.

"The role of these officers and superintendents is a very crucial, important one. And it's quite visible in the community," Gobeil said Monday.

"Let's keep in mind that these individuals — not just in Emerson, but across the country — they have the authority of peace officers, which means that they can seize, they can detain you, they can arrest you at the border."

But Kreitz said he and his colleagues would not let their role on town council affect their work.

"I think if you ask most people in this area, that they would tell you for sure that we don't show favouritism toward them. In fact, our expectations of them may be even higher than they would be from somebody from further away," he said.

"We don't show favouritism for any reason now, and really none of us can understand how being on local council would make a difference in that perspective."