WATCH: Five key cabinet ministers in Manitoba are so fed up with Premier Greg Selinger, they told him to think about quitting. Selinger said he’s staying put, so they quit instead. Vassy Kapelos has the story.
WINNIPEG — Premier Greg Selinger announced his new cabinet Monday after five of his top ministers resigned.
Greg Dewar steps into the top post as finance minister; Sharon Blady is the health minister.
James Allum moves from education to justice, Kevin Chief takes on jobs and economy minister in addition to his responsibilities as minister responsible for the City of Winnipeg, and Drew Caldwell is the new municipal government minister.
WATCH: Manitoba’s new cabinet ministers introduced
“Many of us wish this had been different circumstances … but end of day, I’m elected to serve Manitobans,” Chief said after he was sworn into his new post.
The changes come after Jennifer Howard (finance), Stan Struthers (municipal government), Theresa Oswald (jobs and economy), Andrew Swan (justice) and Erin Selby (health) left cabinet because they said they could no longer work with Selinger. The five said they would remain NDP MLAs at a Monday morning news conference.
WATCH: Manitoba Finance Minister Jennifer Howard and four other ministers confirm their resignations from cabinet Monday
They resigned because they felt they could no longer perform their duties under Selinger’s leadership, they said.
“The only way my voice will be heard is when it’s in total agreement with the premier’s,” Oswald said.
Priorities are being shifted based on which cabinet ministers support Selinger’s opinions, she said.
“Your priorities and your projects move up the queue,” Oswald said.
WATCH: Cabinet ministers explain change of heart after earlier saying they would not resign
Howard opened the news conference by reading a statement released on behalf of all four cabinet ministers early Monday morning.
“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,” Howard read.
“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.”
WATCH: Manitoba’s resigning cabinet ministers discuss what is next for Manitoba, the NDP and the provincial government
The full list of changes to the cabinet also includes:
- Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister of housing and community development, minister responsible for persons with disabilities (also retains family services portfolio);
- Eric Robinson, minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro (also retains aboriginal and northern affairs portfolio);
- Peter Bjornson, minister of education and advanced learning;
- Deanne Crothers, minister of healthy living and seniors; and
- Melanie Wight, minister of children and youth opportunities.
The changes bring the number of cabinet ministers down to 18 from 19.
Selinger pointed out at the news conference that Robinson is the first aboriginal minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro.
Selinger’s leadership of the province’s NDP government, particularly his performance in the raising of the provincial sales tax, has been blamed for the party’s poor poll numbers.
The premier on Thursday insisted it was business as usual at the legislature after the five spoke out earlier in the week, saying he should step down.
WATCH: Resigning Manitoba MLAs say they’re doing what’s needed to win next election
He refused to step down and said he wanted to speak with each of the ministers in private. Those conversations happened over the weekend.
The decision of the five to resign is the strongest signal yet of the massive divide in Manitoba’s NDP. Party leaders who aren’t elected officials have also spoken against Selinger, but some ministers have spoken in support of the premier.
The NDP has 35 of 57 legislature seats, with independent MLA Christine Melnick, who was ousted from the NDP over an immigration scandal, also voting with the government.
The premier released the following statement Monday morning:
“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.”
The full statement from the five rebel cabinet ministers is below:
“For some time, it has been increasingly difficult to do our jobs because the Premier has stopped listening to our advice. T his 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 Brian Pallister government. And that is what has motivated us and will continue to motivate us in the days and weeks and months ahead.”
— With files from Lauren McNabb
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