WINNIPEG — It’s far from business as usual at Manitoba’s legislature.
The five senior cabinet ministers who spoke out against Premier Greg Selinger earlier this week were not in their offices Wednesday morning, and none of their assistants could say where they could be found.
Their absence came as Selinger tried to regain control over some rebellious caucus members after confirming at an extraordinary news conference Tuesday he was staying put. He also said he was leaving “all options on the table” for the five cabinet ministers who said it was time for the premier to put his leadership under review.
READ MORE: ‘A new crisis’ for Manitoba NDP as Premier Greg Selinger stays
Finance Minister Jennifer Howard, Justice Minister Andrew Swan, Health Minister Erin Selby, Municipal Government Minister Stan Struthers and Jobs and Economy Minister Theresa Oswald all suggested on Monday or Tuesday that the premier seriously consider options for the future, hinting they’d like to see him step down.
And opposition to his leadership didn’t end with his announcement that he was staying.
Darlene Dziewitz, a member of the NDP provincial executive, on Wednesday voiced reservations about his leadership.
“He needs to listen to the voters, and many are saying he’s lost their trust,” she said.
Many of the MLAs who stood by the premier in his news conference Tuesday were in the building.
Multiculturalism and Literacy Minister Flor Marcelino said the “majority support the premier.”
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Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross and Healthy Living Minister Sharon Blady stood behind Selinger Tuesday and were quick to voice their support again Wednesday.
“I have confidence in the premier,” Irvin-Ross said after an event honoring Women’s History Month and Women in Leadership.
Blady said her presence at the premier’s news conference “speaks for itself” but would not comment on what she thinks are the ramifications of the dissent.
“We are family. I don’t talk about family issues outside the living room,” she said.
Ministers are not required to be in the building unless there is a caucus or cabinet meeting.
WATCH: Ministers fumble with leadership question
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