#selinger

April 14th

During the chamber debate, Brian Pallister tells us that if he is elected he will definitely be dropping the PST back to 7%. He declares that no matter what challenges he faces as premier he commits to making sure the PST is back at 7%

Howard Pawley Dead At 81 @UWindsor @WindsorLaw

(WINDSOR, ON) – Former Manitoba premier Howard Pawley has died at the age of 81. The Brampton-born Pawley was premier from 1981 until 1988, starting out with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, the forerunner of the NDP. After politics, Pawley returned to law and teaching. He was a professor emeritus at the University of Windsor Law School from 1991 until the time of his death. The…

Politics

Selinger survives: Manitoba premier wins leadership by 33 votes

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger survived public outroar after he raised the sales tax, suvived his cabinet ministers quitting, and now, he's survived an official challenge on his NDP leadership. Selinger beat former health minister Theresa Oswald by 33 votes to retain leadership of the NDP and remain Manitoba's premier. Selinger was forced into the race when Oswald and other party members called on him to resign after his approval in the polls plummeted in October. Former infrastructure minister Steve Ashton also ran against Selinger but had the fewest votes in the first ballot and was eliminated from contention. Ashton did not endorse either candidate, leaving his supporters to "use their best judgement." He also refused say who was voting for in the second round.

It's been a long journey, but we've also gotten to know each other better.

Greg Selinger

Selinger has faced public anger since raising the provincial sales tax to eight per cent from seven in 2013 after promising not to during the last election. Oswald told delegates during her final pitch that she is the party's best bet to beat the Opposition Conservatives, who have been gaining steam. Selinger will now have to reunite the party for an election slated for April 2016.

We've got people lined up on the floor to hopefully hand out lots of Theresa stickers to supporters of whatever candidate drops off (the first ballot).

Politics

NDP president: Selinger doesn't need to step aside during leadership race

The president of the Manitoba NDP provincial executive said it was not required for Premier Greg Selinger to step down during a potential leadership race that will determine if he is allowed to keep his job. Ellen Olfert said the issue was studied and legal experts were consulted, but they didn't find a need to relieve Selinger of his post prematurely. Selinger has had his leadership questioned from inside his own party on numerous occasions as a half-dozen NDP legislature members, including five former cabinet ministers, have called for him to step down. Selinger plans to stay on as leader and premier until the next election in 2016 but challenged those who would oppose him to run against him at a leadership convention in March.

Our recommendations mandate a fair process, emphasizing a clear separation between party activities and resources, and the elected activities and resources of the leader or any candidate.

Ellen Olfert

Politics

Opposition says Manitoba premier should call an election to decide his fate

One of Manitoba's longest-serving cabinet ministers says the NDP can continue to govern the province during a leadership contest that could drag on for months. Opposition parties say embattled Premier Greg Selinger should call an election rather than a leadership race. But Dave Chomiak, minister of mineral resources, said the governing NDP can multitask while Selinger's leadership is in question. "We can continue to work as a government and the party can make its own decision," he said following a meeting in Selinger's office at the legislature. "Every four years, there is an election. The public gets a chance to make a decision as to what we have done as a government and whether they want us to continue or not. That's democracy."

The leader of the party is decided by the party.

Dave Chomiak, minister of mineral resources

Selinger has been under fire from his own cabinet and caucus over last year's decision to raise the provincial sales tax. The party has plummeted in the polls and one party source told The Canadian Press that half the NDP caucus wanted Selinger to step down during a caucus retreat in September. That evolved into open rebellion last week when five of Selinger's most senior cabinet ministers resigned after publicly suggesting he should step aside. At an NDP executive meeting on the weekend, Selinger agreed to a leadership contest at the party's annual convention in March. Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister says all voters should be able to decide Selinger's fate, not just card-carrying NDP members.

Why should 99.9 per cent of Manitobans be excluded from deciding who the next premier of Manitoba is? Why should these democratic rights be limited to the members of the New Democratic Party and the few remaining supporters of the premier or of his rebellious ministers?

Politics

Going to a vote: Embattled Selinger announces leadership convention

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has had his leadership severely questioned by revolting high-profile caucus and executive members and will now face a party leadership vote at the NDP convention in March. Selinger made the offer to the party executive via conference call to address the growing public split on his leadership that has included the resignation of five key caucus members. These caucus members and two members who sit on the party executive have called on Selinger to consider resigning after low poll numbers and a lack of popularity caused by raising the sales tax. Details of the vote have yet to be worked out, and Selinger did not take interview requests Sunday, but he told the Winnipeg Free Press that a leadership vote would allow his opponents to run against him.

This will be a chance for … me to give voice to why I think I should be leader and anybody else that wishes to do that as well.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger

Politics

Duo who asked Manitoba Premier Selinger to resign won't be disciplined