LIVE SHOW: MB Votes '26 - Understanding the Role of CAO

Good morning, and welcome back to Municipal Affairs.

We’re continuing our special seven-week series looking ahead to the 2026 Manitoba Municipal Election — a series taking you inside municipal government and exploring the people, the positions, and the responsibilities that keep communities across Manitoba moving forward.

This special series on the 2026 Manitoba Municipal Election is brought to you in partnership with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.

With candidates knocking on doors, hammer in signs on lawns, gladhanding on main street, and pitching their ideas to the voting public, today we are turning our attention to the on employee city council has.

We’re we’re diving into the role of the Chief Administrative Officer

We’re talking about the role of the municipal CAO—especially during an election and the transition to a new council. What does a CAO do, how does that role differ from elected council, and how do municipal administrators remain politically neutral while keeping the business of the municipality moving?

We’ll also look at what happens after election day: how CAOs and newly elected councils can build strong working relationships, establish clear expectations, and understand the important line between governance and administration.

Joining us are Nicole Chychota, CAO for the City of Portage la Prairie,

Duane Nicol, CAO for the City of Selkirk,

and Adrienne Bestland, Executive Director of the Manitoba Municipal Administrators.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Whether you’re running for council, you’re a longtime municipal voter, or you simply want a better understanding of how local government works, today’s conversation will give you a firsthand look at the role fo the CAO.

So, with that, let’s get started.

This is Municipal Affairs — live. I’m Christopher Brown, and today, we’re asking… What Actually Is A CAO?

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