Shifting political climate in Manitoba
The province has held elections, the outcome of which is changing the situation in the region in a big way.
In the province of Manitoba, despite terrible weather conditions, another election has still been held — and the votes have already been counted. Wab Kinew, the leader of the local opposition since 2017, is now the region's premier. Wabanakwut "Wab" Kinew is a member of one of Canada's indigenous peoples, the Ojibwe. And this is the first time in Manitoba's history that an Indigenous person will lead the province.
Who is it and what's changed?
Along with Kinew, the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, led by Kinew, won. Heather Stefanson, the outgoing premier, represented the Progressive Conservative Party. She acknowledged the defeat of her political bloc and congratulated Kinew, who in turn thanked her predecessor. Stefanson also announced that she would resign as party leader.
Stefanson led Manitoba for two years, starting in the fall of 2021. She was Manitoba's first female premier. Her Conservative Party had led in the region since 2016, but this year all pre-election polls had the Democrats winning.
Political environment in Manitoba
In the Manitoba government before yesterday's election, the balance of power was as follows: 36 seats for the Conservatives, 18 for the Democrats and three for the Liberals. Now the situation has changed dramatically, with the Democrats winning 30 seats, the Conservatives 19, and the Liberals one.
Manitoba Liberal leader Dugald Lamont conceded defeat and stepped down, admitting the party was "basically wiped out" in the province. The Liberal Party is still the dominant party in the federal government and is led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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