Winnipeg firefighters union declares support for Judy Wasylycia-Leis

The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg officially endorsed mayoral candidate Judy Wasylycia-Leis on Monday.

​Wearing T-shirts declaring "Fire Fighters for Judy" the union made the announcement at the Fire Fighters Museum on Maple Street.

They loudly cheered her and hugged her as she came down the stairs into the museum for the announcement.

During the last municipal election in 2010, the UFFW backed Sam Katz over Wasylycia-Leis.

This time around, 250 firefighters have committed to going out to campaign for her, while others will help put out the word in their communities and stations, even though they aren't actively campaigning.

Wasylycia-Leis used the opportunity to take a poke at rival candidate Gord Steeves, who has campaigned on promises of a tax freeze.

Candidates who promise to freeze taxes can't protect services like firefighters, she said.

UFFW president Alex Forrest said Wasylycia-Leis is a centrist candidate who can take ideas from all aspects of political spectrum, unlike Steeves and candidate Brian Bowman, both of whom are more right-leaning.

Forrest also said he doesn't think Steeves and Bowman represent the majority of Winnipeggers.