The RM of East St. Paul has quietly updated its website to show the list of prospective candidates for the upcoming election. As CTV News previously reported, some candidates and residents had raised concerns of a perceived lack of transparency. Those concerns stemmed from the RM’s decision not to publish the names of those seeking election until a month before polls open. At the time, a spokesperson for the RM said the practice was in line with provincial law. However, observers and the Municipal Relations Minister told CTV News it’s much more helpful for voters to publish the information as early as possible. As of Friday, the RM of East St. Paul website now shows a list of prospective candidates, who will officially be declared candidates once the nomination period begins in mid-September. In an email response, CAO Suzanne Ward said the RM previously indicated only the list of official candidates would be available after the nomination period, which remains the case. “The information now posted on the website is a list of individuals who have registered as prospective candidates,” the email from Ward reads in part. She noted prospective candidates must still submit the required nomination documents during the nomination period, which runs from Sept. 16 to 22. “The official list of candidates will only be known once that process is complete,” Ward said in her email. Ward said as the election process progressed, the RM determined it was appropriate to make the information available. The 2026 Municipal Election is Oct. 28.
