NDP ministers push premier for decision on his future

WINNIPEG – Two ministers in Greg Selinger’s NDP government backed calls Monday that the premier consider his political future, due to plummeting public support.

“I’m asking the premier to take a good hard look at (the polls) and I think he needs to consider what is best for the future of our government,” Municipal Government minister Stan Struthers said Monday.

Finance minister Jennifer Howard made similar comments.

“I think every leader needs to constantly reflect on whether it’s the right thing, if it’s in the interest of Manitobans to continue on,” Howard said Monday.

Howard and Struthers were being asked about reports Monday that a former NDP cabinet minister and party official is suggesting Selinger consider stepping down, citing plummeting public support.

“I hope he makes the decision that’s in the best interest of the party and the people of Manitoba,” Becky Barrett,  a member of the party’s provincial executive told Global News Monday in an interview over Skype from Penticton, BC.

She says public anger over the increase in the provincial sales tax has created a “lack of trust and a crisis of confidence” among the voting public and rank and file party members over what was seen as “lies and betrayal” over the tax hike Selinger had ruled out during the 2011 election campaign but went ahead with in 2013. The Selinger government also changed the province’s balanced budget law to avoid holding a referendum on the tax hike.

If an election were held now, Barrett says the Selinger government “would lose decisively.”

When asked about Barrett’s comments, Howard said “I would say she’s speaking honestly from what she feels.” Neither Struthers nor Howard would put a timetable on Selinger making a decision about his future, or say if he should resign, only that the decision is his to make.

Selinger wouldn’t speak to reporters Monday, though staff suggested he may offer interviews today.  His office issued a brief statement to media Monday.

“Premier Selinger remains focused on the job he was elected to do- delivering on the priorities of Manitoba families, creating jobs and opportunities for young people, growing our economy,” it says. “Our MLAs are passionate about serving their constituents and all Manitobans. Every close knit family has its share of disagreements but we work through those together so we can focus on getting results for Manitoba families.”

Former cabinet minister Rosann Wowchuk spoke out in Selinger’s defense Monday. Wowchuk, who is also co-chair of the premier’s election planning committee told Global News,

“In my opinion Greg is doing a good job, he’s delivering the mandate that he was given and I’m prepared o work with him going into the next election.”

Wowchuk says like all families there is going to be some fighting and caucus needs to “work this out.”

Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross also spoke out in support of Selinger Monday, telling Global News, “I am confident in our premier.” In an apparent rebuke to party criticism of the sales tax hike, , Irvin-Ross said “cabinet made that decision together.”

Barrett says she is not saying Selinger should resign, only that the decision is up to him.

Barrett was an NDP MLA from 1990 to 2003 and served as Minister of Labour and Immigration in the government of Gary Doer from 1999 to 2003.

Selinger admitted Thursday that the PST hike had a negative effect on his party’s popularity, and that the fallout from that decision may have contributed to the defeat of long time NDPer Judy Wasylycia-Leis in Winnipeg’s election for mayor.