WINNIPEG – One NDP cabinet minister was trying very hard Wednesday not to take sides in the party’s bitter public split over the leadership of Premier Greg Selinger.
“He said he’s staying as premier, so as far as I’m concerned he’s staying as premier,” Tourism, Culture and Sport minister Ron Lemieux said Wednesday in remarks that fell short of a ringing endorsement of his leader.
Lemieux paused at length, stumbled and provided only a vague answer when asked if Selinger made the right decision yesterday to remain as leader despite calls from senior ministers he step down, citing his unpopularity.
“Did he make the right decision, I mean look, he said he’s the leader,” Lemieux said. “I’m not telling him he has to go and I’m not telling him he has to stay, he’s the leader, he’s the boss.”
Lemieux, the MLA for Dawson Trail, repeatedly expressed disappointment that an internal party debate had become public.
“I have friends on both sides of this issue,” he told reporters at the Legislature Wednesday.
Multiculturalism and Literacy Minister Flor Marcelino was among those at the Legislature leaving no doubt that she supports Selinger. “I was saddened and disappointed” that the other ministers had spoken out against him, she said. “The majority supports the premier.”
Selinger held a news conference late Tuesday, vowing to remain as leader and premier despite a remarkable show of public disloyalty by senior cabinet ministers who say he’s too unpopular with the public and should consider stepping down.
It’s still unclear what consequences the rebellious ministers could face. Justice Minister Andrew Swan, Finance Minister Jennifer Howard, Health Minister Erin Selby, Municipal Government Minister Stan Struthers and Jobs and Economy Minister Theresa Oswald all spoke out Monday and Tuesday. They stayed out of sight Wednesday.
Selinger spent the day at a public event in Flin Flon.
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