The union representing thousands of City of Winnipeg employees is calling for a city council candidate to not seek re-election as he deals with a pair of sexual assault charges. CUPE Local 500, along with several city council candidates, called for Russ Wyatt to not seek re-election as councillor for Transcona on Tuesday, noting his current legal challenges. Wyatt announced Monday he planned to seek re-election, becoming the final incumbent councillor to announce his intentions for the Oct. 28 election. “Wyatt is facing multiple sexual assault-related charges and should heed the call of colleagues and the community to step aside,” Patrick Troughton, CUPE Local 500 president, said in a statement. “His continued candidacy will only serve as a distraction from the important issues Winnipeggers should be focusing on during this election.” Wyatt was charged with sexual assault in March and August this year in connection with separate incidents in October 2023 and December 2025. In both instances, Wyatt is alleged to have met two male victims online and later met them in person on multiple occasions. During one of the meetings, the victims were allegedly given an illicit drug and sexually assaulted. The charges have not been tested in court and Wyatt has repeatedly maintained his innocence. Council voted in April to remove Wyatt from seven city committees and boards, and Mayor Scott Gillingham and other councillors have called on Wyatt to step away from his councillor role to deal with the charges. As of Tuesday afternoon, Wyatt has not yet filed nomination papers to get his name on the ballot. CTV News has reached out to Wyatt for comment. -With files from CTV News’ Jeff Keele and Devon McKendrick.
