SteinbachOnline candidate questions · Oct 7, 9 and 15, 2026
SteinbachOnline asked all 10 candidates for Steinbach City Council the same questions on three issues. What did each say about the housing the city should build, how to stop basement flooding, and the most pressing public safety problem? And do the incumbents' answers match their record?
How to read this page: under each question, the 10 candidates are listed in the same alphabetical order. Each has a one-line summary; open Key quotes for their own words, and use the link under the question for every answer in full. Notes under the incumbents check their answers against what they've said and done on council.
SteinbachOnline askedWhat types of housing and development should the city prioritize, and how, as a councillor, would you address concerns about traffic, parking, and the character of existing neighbourhoods?
Published Oct 7, 2026: read every answer in full on SteinbachOnline.
A full mix including starter homes; traffic, pedestrian and parking assessments before approval; developers pay their fair share.
“Before approving a development, I want a traffic and pedestrian safety assessment, realistic parking, sidewalks, safe crossings and emergency vehicle access.”
“Having developers as partners to pay their fair share for infrastructure is a good path”
Greg Carlos, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
The city hasn't been proactive enough and has left too much to developers; plan with builders; keep mature street trees; plan medium density strategically.
“I don't think the city has been proactive enough in city planning and development. Too much has been left in the hands of the developers”
“Medium density housing areas should be strategically planned for the long-term future of the city”
Gary Dyck, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
All types of housing; parking on site; tall buildings where they already exist; recruit manufacturers that pay a living wage.
“Adequate parking needs to be accounted for on-site, not on the street.”
“Buildings of substantive height should be placed in areas where those already exist.”
Ron Falk, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
Affordable housing first; every application should show its effect on streets and services; plan water, sewer and roads with zoning.
“I'd prioritize what residents need right now, which is affordable housing options.”
“Growth should also be matched with capacity planning for water, sewer, and roads at the same table as the zoning decision.”
Nicholas Goertzen, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
A mix of entry-level and higher-end homes; steer high density downtown and to areas zoned for it; parking rules work; traffic is “quite tolerable”.
“I feel that we need to focus on higher density to specific areas, such as the downtown”
“Overall, I feel that traffic is quite tolerable in the residential areas of our city.”
Bill Hiebert, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
Prioritize affordable low- and medium-density homes for first-time buyers; expand the city outward rather than build high density.
“I believe the city should be prioritizing low and medium-density housing and keeping them affordable, especially to first-home buyers.”
“I think more priority should be given to expanding our city versus high density.”
Jake Hiebert, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
The same position he gave at the Chamber forum. In December 2025 he argued that higher-density infill “promotes housing choice” and moved to approve a 31-unit project, and in July 2026 he voted for a six-storey building (details).
Smart growth that creates jobs, but no high density in existing neighbourhoods; flexible on seniors' housing and granny suites.
“I would not support high-density development in existing neighbourhoods”
“a similar relaxed process for secondary 'granny' suites in more areas”
Mitesh Kumar, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
All housing types; vacancy rates show the right mix is being built; yearly traffic studies; growth shouldn't “leapfrog” into established neighbourhoods.
“there is a clear indication that the correct variety of housing is being built.”
“Growth needs to progress into a neighbourhood and not leapfrog into the middle of it, changing the character of the entire community.”
Damian Penner, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
Consistent: in March 2024 he voted against the Home Street rezoning inside an established single-family area, while also saying “We cannot double our population sprawling outwards” (housing report).
Market demand decides what gets built; the city's job is policy and infrastructure; public hearings let residents raise concerns.
“Market demand will largely determine what types of housing are built in Steinbach.”
“public hearings allow residents an opportunity to voice their questions and concerns.”
Susan Penner, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
Consistent with December 2025, when she told council that “developers generally know best where the needs are in terms of housing our community” (housing report).
“We need as many homes as possible”, but not multi-family housing in well-established neighbourhoods; enforce parking near schools.
“Quite frankly we need as many homes as possible.”
“I would be less inclined though to put multi-family housing in well-established neighbourhoods.”
“Enforced parking restrictions will be needed.”
Brad Unger, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 7, 2026
SteinbachOnline askedWhat specific steps should the city take to reduce flooding and drainage problems, and how would you decide which projects should come first?
Published Oct 9, 2026: read every answer in full on SteinbachOnline.
Treat flooding like a safety risk: an updated stormwater master plan and a risk matrix to rank projects; seek provincial and federal money.
“an updated storm water master plan mapping problem areas and system capacity.”
“I would rank projects using a risk matrix”
Greg Carlos, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
More resilient infrastructure and higher standards; don't overlook older neighbourhoods; set priorities with experts and those affected.
“Standards for water management and development need to be enhanced”
“there should be no anxiety when the rain starts to pour down.”
Gary Dyck, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
Check sewer and lift-station capacity before permits for large infill; affirms the lagoon expansion.
“These types of questions have to be addressed prior to building permits being issued.”
“Expanding our lagoon, I believe, is already in the long-term plan”
Ron Falk, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
Rank by risk and impact; keep the Park Road West upgrade on schedule; on-site stormwater for new builds; fund the wastewater plant without burdening residents.
“We need to look at projects based on where failure risk and resident impact are highest, not whichever is cheapest or most visible.”
“New developments should be required to manage their own storm water onsite wherever possible.”
Nicholas Goertzen, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
Unprecedented rain on flat land; the city diverted wastewater and doubled pumping to the lagoon; keep engineering the system.
“we doubled the capacity of wastewater being pumped to our lagoon.”
“We will continue to work on engineering our city's drainage systems to meet demands.”
Bill Hiebert, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
Lists work already done (lift stations, larger pipes); next, a mechanical plant and bigger lagoon, or reconsider joining the Red-Seine-Rat co-op.
“I think the better question is what has the city, in the past couple of years, already done to mitigate future flooding.”
“Our future plan is to either build a new mechanical wastewater plant and expand our lagoon or reconsider joining the Red-Seine-Rat Wastewater Cooperative near Niverville.”
Jake Hiebert, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
In 2025 council chose its own plant over joining the Red-Seine-Rat co-op, which staff estimated would cost 25–30% more; reconsidering would reopen that decision (future planning report).
Re-engage residents; a public drainage “white paper” by an expert; sump-pump audits; fix the worst areas first and report progress.
“a clear public drainage 'white paper' prepared by a trusted expert”
“prioritize the worst-affected areas”
Mitesh Kumar, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
Flat land is the challenge; detention ponds in new areas work, older areas still struggle; council invested over $30M and took over provincial drains.
“The new standard in Steinbach works and works well, however, there are still challenges in the existing older neighbourhoods.”
“Last year, this council invested over 30 million into sewer and infrastructure projects”
Damian Penner, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
The city's 2025 capital program was $36.6M across all infrastructure, equipment and facilities, and the 2026 budget put over $20M into wastewater (taxes report; sewer backups report).
Keep drainage a priority; lists work underway (Lift Station #1, Park Road West, a catchment master plan); rank by risk and repeat flooding.
“Drainage and flood prevention need to remain an infrastructure priority.”
“I would prioritize projects based on risk and impact, particularly in areas experiencing repeated flooding”
Susan Penner, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
“This cannot happen again”: fast-track sewer sensors, enforce the sump-pump by-law, inspect sewers near construction.
“This cannot happen again.”
“I would like to see the proposal for a sensor system for the sewers fast-tracked.”
“the by-law for sump-pumps is quite clear … yet it is not as enforced as it should be.”
Brad Unger, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 9, 2026
SteinbachOnline askedWhat is the most pressing public safety issue in Steinbach, and what action would you support Council take to address it?
Published Oct 15, 2026: read every answer in full on SteinbachOnline.
Property crime tied to addictions and mental health; more community safety officers; outreach partnerships; lighting; neighbourhood watch.
“the most pressing issue is property crime, linked to addictions and mental health.”
“I would like to expand our community safety officers in the city.”
Greg Carlos, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
“Safe caring community”: homelessness is the top safety issue; strengthen policing, security and front-line groups, including a winter shelter.
“Homelessness and the problems that result from it are Steinbach's most pressing safety issue.”
“including some basics like winter shelter.”
Gary Dyck, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
A visible police presence; no homeless encampments in town; council can help the agencies supporting people.
“Simply having a visible police presence within the city is a big deal.”
“Not allowing the establishment of encampments of the homeless in town is an important message”
Ron Falk, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
Street racing and visible homelessness; traffic calming and speed cameras; data on RCMP response times; support housing-first outreach.
“I don't think either issue gets solved by enforcement alone.”
“Traffic calming, speed cameras, or physical design changes at key stretches would do more in the long term”
Nicholas Goertzen, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
The RCMP now has its full 18 officers; street racing easing with more presence; extra security for construction sites.
“we finally have full complement of 18 police officers for the city.”
“the extra police presence seems to have an effect.”
Bill Hiebert, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
Provincial e-bike and e-scooter law, then city by-laws; on homelessness, tackle root causes; backs the new Third Street facility.
“I wish our present provincial government would enact legislation regarding e-bikes and electric scooters.”
“social organizations and the city must jointly focus on the deep-rooted problems and not on the symptoms.”
Jake Hiebert, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
Visible RCMP and CSO coordination, mobile cameras, lighting, youth recreation and public reporting; keep a city police service open for discussion.
“temporary/mobile safety cameras in troubled areas”
“keeping the longer-term question of whether Steinbach needs its own police service open for evidence-based discussion”
Mitesh Kumar, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
Most crime is opportunistic, so “drastically increase” community safety officers patrolling in marked vehicles.
“The majority of the crime that occurs in Steinbach is crime of opportunity”
“What I propose is to drastically increase the amount of Community Safety Officers (CSOs) in marked vehicles patrolling Steinbach”
Damian Penner, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
Consistent with his Chamber forum answer and his 2025 view that most crime here is “small-scale and petty” (details).
Property crime; points to overnight security patrols, a second CSO and a fully staffed RCMP; continue the “layered approach”.
“The most pressing public safety concern is property crime.”
“I would continue this layered approach: a strong RCMP presence, Community Safety Officers, and targeted security where it is effective.”
Susan Penner, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026
Matches the record: council started an overnight security patrol in July 2025, extended it, and added a second community safety officer by early 2026 (crime and policing report).
Five more frontline RCMP officers; prioritize theft and drug trafficking; stop Main Street racing.
“I would like to see five more positions created and filled.”
“Theft and drug trafficking are directly related and should be prioritized.”
Brad Unger, written answer · SteinbachOnline, Oct 15, 2026