Five Manitoba ministers who started a revolt against the leadership of NDP Premier Greg Selinger intend to resign their cabinet posts today.
The five, who will leave cabinet but continue to sit as MLAs, are:
- Jennifer Howard.
- Stan Struthers.
- Theresa Oswald.
- Andrew Swan.
- Erin Selby.
Finance Minister Jennifer Howard, representing the group of cabinet ministers who spoke out against Premier Greg Selinger, said a formal announcement about the resignations will be made Monday morning (CBC)
The ministers will make a formal announcement about their resignations later Monday morning, Howard said.
As a result, there will be a cabinet shuffle, and the new ministers appointed to replace them will be sworn in Monday, Selinger said in a statement.
Howard, minister of finance, told CBC News on Monday that during a weekend meeting between Selinger and the disgruntled cabinet members, he gave them a choice: Take back what they had said against him or resign.
Based on that, Howard said there really was no choice.
"I don't think there is a way for any of us to have done that with integrity— just to go out this week and say, 'no, we really didn't mean it,'" she said, adding Selinger is not listening to the advice of his cabinet, so they can no longer function as ministers.
'In recent weeks and months, it has become clear to us that he is increasingly being driven by his desire to hold onto his leadership rather than by the best interests of Manitobans.'- Statement from cabinet ministers
The ministers, as well as several party executives, began suggesting last week that Selinger step aside as party leader so the NDP could rebuild before going into the next provincial election, in early 2016.
They said he has failed the party because he hasn't been able to rebuild Manitobans' trust after his flip-flop on the provincial sales tax (PST). The premier promised in the 2011 election campaign that he would not increase the PST to eight per cent from seven per cent, but then did exactly that in July 2013.
Those who have spoken publicly against Selinger said the public feels betrayed and it shows in the polls. Recent numbers have put Selinger's support at an all-time low.
After a revolt like this, it will be hard for the NDP to recover in time for the next election, said Allen Mills, a political scientist at the University of Winnipeg.
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger is losing five of his cabinet ministers as dissension in the party continues to grow. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)
"To suffer this sort of loss of such crucial advisers, its strikes me as pretty disastrous. I think it is the most serious political crisis within a governing government within the last 50 years," he said, noting the fall of Manitoba's Howard Pawley-led NDP government in 1988 was "kind of messy, but not as messy as this."
Howard disagrees the party's future is grim. While she is not happy it has come to this, she and the four other ministers said they are stepping down now so healing can take place and the party can still get back, in her words," on the winning track" before the next election.
Statement from Premier Greg Selinger
Last week I had direct conversations with members of my team who have chosen another path. In those conversations I made it clear: either focus on the priorities of Manitoba families as a part of our team, or resign. I am saddened by the decisions they've made. I wish to thank each for their contributions toward building a better province.
In 2011, Manitobans elected a dedicated, diverse and experienced group of New Democrat MLAs, representative of every region of our province, with experience in a wide variety of fields.
I will appoint a new cabinet from this talented team. Our government will remain focused on the priorities of all Manitobans — creating jobs and opportunities, investing in infrastructure and protecting services. The new cabinet will be sworn in today.
Statement from cabinet ministers
For some time, it has been increasingly difficult to do our jobs because the premier has stopped listening to our advice. This has been the case since we privately discussed, at his invitation, our concerns about his leadership.
In recent weeks and months, it has become clear to us that he is increasingly being driven by his desire to hold onto his leadership rather than by the best interests of Manitobans.
To do their jobs, ministers need to be able to speak up honestly in cabinet and disagree with the premier at times without fear that speaking their minds on some points will mean their voices are ignored on the things that are important to Manitobans. Increasingly, in the last few months, this has not been the case.
Our decision to resign is not because of any single issue or a single decision. It is because we can no longer work with a premier who refuses to hear us. He refuses to hear us not just on the leadership issue, but also on a wide range of issues in our portfolios.
There are many important issues and there is much work to do. But we cannot work together on the priorities of Manitobans if we cannot be honest with the premier.
We are proud of many accomplishments on behalf of Manitobans during our time in cabinet. Many of these achievements are owed to the premier, and it extremely difficult for us to leave other work unfinished. However, remaining in cabinet with integrity is no longer an option.
We will continue to serve as MLAs and to work for our constituents. We will continue to be New Democrats, because that is the party whose values we share.
We thank the premier for the opportunity to serve in cabinet. Our resignations take effect as soon as a smooth transition can be arranged. We will, of course, offer whatever information and assistance is needed to those who take our places.
Our motivation to run for office was to make life better for all Manitobans, but especially those with the least. That remains our motivation and that is why we believe the stakes could not be higher in the next election.
Everybody who runs in an election knows they might not win. Winning elections isn't about getting a big office or a fancy title. For us, winning elections is about winning the right to stand up for the very people who would be most hurt by a [Progressive Conservative leader] Brian Pallister government.
And that is what has motivated us and will continue to motivate us in the days and weeks and months ahead.
Jennifer Howard, Minister of Finance, MLA Fort Rouge
Andrew Swan, Minister of Justice, MLA Minto
Theresa Oswald, Minister for Jobs and the Economy, MLA Seine River
Stan Struthers, Minister of Municipal Government, MLA Dauphin
Erin Selby, Minister of Health, MLA Southdale
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