Manitoba Opposition takes aim at NDP government

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Opposition Leader Brian Pallister launched an attempt to defeat the province’s troubled NDP government in the legislature Monday, but it appears doomed to fail.

Pallister moved a non-confidence motion, which could trigger an election if it is passed by a majority of members.

The NDP has a solid majority in the legislature, with 36 of the 57 seats, but five former cabinet ministers and two backbenchers are on the outs with Premier Greg Selinger after openly challenging him.

Pallister hoped the rebel New Democrats will vote with the Progressive Conservatives to defeat a government that he called dysfunctional.

“We have a divided government. It is divided and it is ineffectual,” Pallister said in the chamber.

But some of the rebels made it clear they will not vote with Pallister. They have maintained consistently that their issue is with Selinger, not with the party.

“We’re going to support the government. That’s what we’ve said every time, that’s what we’ll do,” Jennifer Howard, a former finance minister, said on behalf of herself and four other senior cabinet ministers who resigned from the inner circle recently after suggesting Selinger consider retiring.

Another NDP rebel, backbencher Clarence Petterson, was less clear. He refused to comment Monday when asked if he will vote with the opposition.

The lone Liberal in the legislature, Jon Gerrard, said he hadn’t made a final decision but believed “an election would be a good way of clearing the air”.

The government has been under a cloud since last month, when Howard and other top cabinet ministers, including Andrew Swan in justice and Erin Selby in health, went public with their concerns over Selinger’s leadership.

They cited continued public anger over the government’s sales tax increase last year, and the government’s low standing in opinion polls. They also accused Selinger of not listening to their concerns.

Two members of the NDP executive also called on Selinger to resign.

Selinger has responded by challenging any critics to run against him at the NDP’s annual convention in March, and the party executive is currently working to set down rules for the contest.

The vote on the non-confidence motion is expected next week, just before the legislature breaks for the holidays.

Even if the rebels change their minds and vote with the Tories, the numbers still appear to be on the government’s side.

The NDP has 35 votes among their 36 seats, since one of their members, Daryl Reid, is the legislature speaker. The Tories have 19 seats, the Liberals have one and there is one vacant seat.