Winnipeg students rally for school trustee voting rights

Students in Winnipeg are organizing a rally at the Notre Dame Community Centre to advocate for the right to vote in school trustee elections. The movement, led by youth organizers Libby and Hellen, follows a petition launched last year that gathered hundreds of signatures from students and staff.

Proponents argue that because school trustees make decisions regarding education priorities, budgets, and learning environments, students should have a voice in who represents them. This is particularly relevant as Winnipeg school divisions approve budget increases ranging from 2.36% to nearly 10% for the 2026-27 school year, which impacts local education property taxes.

Separately, trustee candidates in Winnipeg have begun collaborating to address regional issues. Ten nominees across six school boards have proposed a working group focused on inter-divisional safe routes to school to address traffic safety and pedestrian concerns during student drop-off and pick-up times.