The New Democratic Party (NDP) in Manitoba is poised to form a government, marking their return to power since 2016. This historic win also signifies a significant milestone for Indigenous representation in Canadian politics, as party leader Wab Kinew is set to become the first First Nations premier in the country’s history.
The NDP’s focus on health-care reform resonated with voters, particularly in battleground constituencies in suburban Winnipeg. Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson conceded the election and announced her resignation as party leader, congratulating Kinew on his groundbreaking victory.
Although the Progressive Conservatives will now serve as the official Opposition, their loss of several key seats to NDP candidates highlights the shifting political landscape in Manitoba. Notable losses for the Tories include Audrey Gordon, the former health minister, and Rochelle Squires, the incumbent for Riel. The Liberal Party was left with only one seat, occupied by incumbent Cindy Lamoureux in Tyndall Park.
The election results also led to leadership changes within the losing parties. Dougald Lamont, who lost his seat in St. Boniface, stepped down as leader of the Liberals, while Jon Gerrard, who had held the River Heights seat since 1999, also suffered a defeat to an NDP candidate.
The PC campaign gathering was filled with anticipation as early results came in. However, it was the NDP that garnered much of the support, with cheers erupting in their crowded Crystal Ballroom at the Fort Garry Hotel as early leads were displayed on the screen. To secure a majority in the 57-seat legislature, a party must win at least 29 seats. The final results of some close races and constituencies were still pending.
The Progressive Conservatives, led by Stefanson, had held 35 seats prior to the dissolution of the legislature. In contrast, the NDP had 18 seats, the Liberals held three, and one seat remained vacant. The PCs were seeking a third consecutive term after their victories in 2016 and 2019 under former premier Brian Pallister.
Throughout the campaign, issues such as health care, the cost of living crisis, crime, and job creation took center stage. Severe thunderstorms on voting day affected some polling stations, causing temporary power outages. However, manual balloting was utilized until electricity was restored, and electronic vote-counting machines were used for the first time in Manitoba.
The NDP campaigned on promises to address the challenges facing the health-care system. Kinew pledged to increase staffing levels and reopen three Winnipeg emergency rooms. Additionally, he vowed not to raise the provincial sales tax (PST), while also committing to freezing Manitoba Hydro rates for a year and temporarily reducing the provincial gas tax.
The Progressive Conservatives sought to win over voters by highlighting their proposed tax cuts, anti-crime programs, and their refusal to support the search for the remains of Indigenous women in a Winnipeg-area landfill. The Liberal Party, meanwhile, focused on recruiting and retaining doctors and nurses, providing tax relief, and ensuring coverage of mental-health services under medicare.
Stefanson’s tenure as premier was short-lived, as she narrowly won the PC party leadership contest in 2021 following Pallister’s resignation. This election marked her first as party leader.
In this 43rd general election in Manitoba, a total of 189 candidates were nominated, a decrease from the 235 candidates in 2019. As the NDP prepares to form the government and Kinew makes history as the first First Nations premier in Canada, the political landscape in Manitoba enters a new era with potential implications for years to come.
