WINNIPEG – NDP cabinet ministers who challenged Premier Greg Selinger’s leadership were back in their offices Thursday, the conflict with their boss still unresolved.
“The five of us have expressed a deep concern, that concern continues, we’ve agreed not to speak about this publicly until we’ve had a further chance to sit down with the premier,” Justice Minister Andrew Swan said.
He is one of five senior NDP cabinet ministers who sparked a political firestorm earlier in the week by suggesting the unpopular Selinger resign and make way for another leader, to save the NDP from defeat in the next election.
But Selinger stared them down, announcing Tuesday he would remain in charge. And Thursday, the five dissidents said they won’t be resigning either. They only promised to keep a lid on their concerns until they meet with the premier sometime in the future.
“I’ve made a commitment to (Selinger) not to be speaking on this broad issue of his leadership and controversy surrounding that,” Jobs and Economy Minister Theresa Oswald said.
Finance Minister Jennifer Howard made similar comments Thursday. Health Minister Erin Selby and Municipal Government Minister Stan Struthers are the other two rebellious ministers. They were joined Thursday by Flin Flon MLA Clarence Petterson, the first back bencher to call on Selinger to resign.
Meantime the sense of turmoil in the government deepened, as no one could say when or if the legislature will resume sitting this fall. Swan, who is also the Government House Leader responsible for the NDP’s legislative agenda, couldn’t say.
“There has been no announcement yet,” Swan said. A spokesperson for Selinger also said he had no information on when the government would present a throne speech and get MLAs back in their seats to debate and pass legislation.
Ministers insisted nothing is amiss.
“The government is continuing to function,” Oswald said.
“The business of government is continuing on,” Swan said.
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