Brief
Kevin Klein pulls mayoral ad after Edmonton footage mistake
The ad, posted on Meta platforms on Oct. 15, was removed after online commenters flagged the out‑of‑province footage.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Winnipeg mayoral candidate Kevin Klein withdrew a 55‑second paid advertisement on Oct. 15 after social‑media users identified that the video featured Edmonton landmarks, not Winnipeg scenes, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.
The ad, which ran on Facebook and Instagram, highlighted safety concerns and bureaucratic red tape affecting local businesses, ending with Klein speaking about his commitment to Winnipeg. Archival Meta data shows the ad cost roughly $1,000 before it was taken down.
The footage includes the Alberta Legislature’s visitor centre and the 100 Street Funicular, both recognisable Edmonton locations. Klein described the error as an “honest mistake” by a staff videographer, saying the mistake was discovered at a bonding event during a Manitoba Moose game. He said his campaign contacted the videographer, a Winnipeg resident, who explained the error occurred while editing late at night and that the video was promptly corrected.
Mayor Scott Gillingham’s campaign spokesperson called the original ad “lazy,” suggesting Klein “spends a lot of time attacking Winnipeg but can’t be bothered to use actual Winnipeggers or scenes of the city.” Colin Fast, a Gillingham supporter, added that Klein “hasn’t spent much time downtown” and implied the mistake showed a lack of familiarity with the city.
A revised version of the ad, featuring authentic Winnipeg footage, was uploaded to Klein’s Instagram on Sunday, but not before the original mistake sparked online criticism and confusion among viewers who noted the absence of recognizable Winnipeg landmarks.
Key facts
- Kevin Klein's paid ad ran on Meta platforms starting Oct. 15 and cost about $1,000. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The video mistakenly showed Edmonton landmarks, including the Alberta Legislature visitor centre and the 100 Street Funicular. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Klein called the error an "honest mistake" by a staff videographer and said the campaign removed the ad. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Mayor Scott Gillingham’s campaign called the ad "lazy" and criticized Klein for not using Winnipeg scenes. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Campaign blunder: Klein features wrong city in election video”
