Manitoba: The results are in!

A historic evening in Manitoba yesterday! After seven years of Progressive Conservative government, voters have chosen change. The citizens in the province have elected an NDP majority government.

Premier-Elect Wab Kinew will be sworn in as the first First Nations provincial premier in Canada.

This was a campaign based on two very different perspectives, with clear lines in the sand on key issues, like healthcare, education, and climate change.  The NDP made efficient work of the voting system and it played a significant role in shaping the outcome of this election. They utilized their vote very well, monopolizing the Manitoba Liberal Party and Green Party votes, handing the politically active progressive left a favourable advantage in securing government.

Key promises the Manitoba NDP proposed are to temporarily cut the gas tax, freeze hydro rates for Manitobans for a year and aggressive healthcare reform, promising to re-open three emergency room departments in Winnipeg and look to open new family medical centers across the province.

As of Wednesday, the NDP is leading or elected in 34 ridings, five above the needed 29 for a majority government. The Progressive Conservatives are leading or elected in 22 seats and will become the Official Opposition. The Liberals have only one seat, down from three. Outgoing Premier Heather Stefanson as well as Liberal leader Dougald Lamont both have stepped down as leaders.

Another seven ridings remain too close to call as of this writing with out-of-district advance votes still trickling in. The NDP lead in four of those and the PCs in three.

What Happens Next  

With the dust settling, burning questions remain: who will be the next Progressive Conservative leader?

Will the Manitoba Liberal Party be able to rebuild, and ever become relevant in Manitoba politics again? Will the governing NDP be able to keep its commitments to healthcare and an important promise to fund the search of a landfill for the remains of murdered Indigenous women? How will the new NDP government work with the Trudeau Liberals?

One thing is absolutely clear, if nothing else. Manitobans were looking for change, and they found that in Wab Kinew.

Photo Credits: THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski