MOOSE JAW — James Murdock is running for mayor of Moose Jaw in the upcoming civic election. Following his announcement, the Moose Jaw Express reached out with a few questions.
Q: “What motivated you to enter public service?”
A: “I believe Moose Jaw is at a pivotal moment with the opportunity to shape its future for generations to come,” Murdock replied.
“Public service is a natural progression for me, shaped by the values of hard work, family, and community that I learned growing up in… Central Butte.
“With the unwavering support of my family, these values, my dedication to serving others, decades of business experience, and a longstanding commitment to community service have brought me to this moment. These past few years of retirement have allowed me the time and energy to focus even more on our community.
“I want to lead our city into a future we can all be proud of — a place that brings together residents and their families, businesses, and welcomes newcomers and visitors alike.”
Q: “How would you describe yourself as both an individual and as a candidate?”
A: “As an individual, what you see is what you get. I am deeply devoted to my wonderful family — my wife of 24 years, Bev, and our daughters, Sydney and Jenna, with whom I’ve shared amazing memories from school events to coaching them in soccer and Moose Jaw Minor Fastball.
“I’m also grateful that my mom and two sisters have joined me in making Moose Jaw their home, further strengthening our family’s roots in the city we love. Serving others has always been a driving force in my life, whether through coaching, volunteering on boards and organizations, or co-founding River Street Promotions (RSP).
“As a candidate, I believe in leading by example and staying true to my values.
“Over the past weeks, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with residents, business owners, and organizations across Moose Jaw, listening to their hopes, concerns, and visions for our city’s future. I hold deep respect for those who have served in our council and mayor’s office, and I am confident that I am ready to build on their work.
“I am dedicated to bringing my experience, energy, and passion to lead Moose Jaw toward a future we can all be proud of.”
Q: “How do you stay connected to the community?”
A: With over 30 years in the funeral profession — starting in various roles, advancing into management, and ultimately founding and running my own funeral home locally for over half my career — I’ve gained valuable experience.
“I recently retired from the funeral profession and was able to refocus on something that has always been close to my heart: community. I have no preconceived notions — just a passion for building a better future for Moose Jaw and the drive to turn talk into action, digging in, and getting it done.
“My focus is on growing the economy, boosting tourism, and building a community where both families and businesses can succeed.”
Murdock hosts regular “Coffee & Conversations” forums at rotating local businesses where residents can freely speak with him. Details are available on his Facebook page.
Q: “How would you describe your vision for the city?”
A: “My vision for Moose Jaw is a proud, welcoming city that fosters growth, opportunity, and community. We will build a resilient economy by stimulating economic growth, attracting new business and development retaining young talent and supporting local entrepreneurs.
“By improving and modernizing our infrastructure we will ensure Moose Jaw is prepared for future growth and remains a city of opportunity.”
Q: “How will you ensure accountability and transparency in your role?”
A: “I will ensure accountability and transparency by improving communication, providing regular public updates, having accessible meetings, and setting measurable goals and timelines.
“We will improve response times and follow through on reported issues, ensuring residents’ voices are heard and valued. Together, we will build a proud community rooted in trust and accountability.”
Q: “What are your top guiding values?”
A: “My top guiding values are rooted in family, communication, teamwork, and a deep passion for community.
“My years in the funeral profession taught me the importance of active listening, transparency, and empathy — qualities that will ensure residents feel heard and understood at city hall.
“Through my dedication to our community, I have come to appreciate the power of collaboration and teamwork, knowing that real progress is achieved when we work together toward common goals.”
Q: “What would you say are the top three issues or concerns that you would like to address?”
A: Murdock said his top three concerns include a strengthening of community engagement, stimulating economic growth, and prioritizing infrastructure improvements with smart spending.
“First, we must foster better communication and collaboration between our city’s leadership, residents, businesses, and community organizations. Transparency and accountability in decision making, along with regular updates, will build trust and unity.
“Second, supporting economic growth is vital to Moose Jaw’s future. We can stimulate a thriving economy that benefits everyone by supporting local businesses and attractions, attracting new business and development, and creating an inviting environment for young talent.
“Finally, we must be smarter with our spending. We need to balance the need to ensure our roads, sidewalks, and public spaces are safe, functional, and ready for the future with the major projects we have on the horizon.”
Q: “In your own words, why should people vote for you?”
A: “A vote for me is a vote for change, a fresh start, and leadership without preconceived notions.
“It’s a choice to leave the past behind and focus on a brighter future for Moose Jaw. I bring a strong foundation in communication, teamwork, and passion to our city.
“My years in the funeral profession have taught me the importance of active listening, transparency, and empathy — skills that would ensure every resident feels heard and understood at city hall.
“Through my community service, I’ve learned the value of collaboration and teamwork, understanding that progress happens when we work together.
“Above all, I love the city of Moose Jaw, and I am dedicated to leading by example to bring us back to being ‘The Friendly City,’ where everyone feels welcome, connected, and proud to call our community home.”
James Murdock maintains a campaign website at MurdockForMayor.ca and a Facebook page at ‘James Murdock for Moose Jaw Mayor.’ He can be reached at [email protected].
A complete list of election candidates with a link to their interviews can be found at "MJVotes24: A list of all 29 candidates in upcoming civic election."
The upcoming civic election will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
