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2017 Manitoba New Democratic Party leadership election

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2017 New Democratic Party of Manitoba leadership election
DateSeptember 16, 2017
ConventionRBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
Resigning leaderGreg Selinger
Won byWab Kinew
Ballots1
Candidates2
Entrance Fee$5,000
Spending limit$75,000
New Democratic Party of Manitoba leadership elections
1961 · 1968 · 1969 · 1979 · 1988 · 2009 · 2015 · 2017

The New Democratic Party of Manitoba leadership election of 2017 was called as a result of the resignation of Manitoba NDP leader Greg Selinger following his government's defeat in the April 19, 2016, Manitoba general election.

Rules

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The rules and format of the leadership election were decided by the party in March 2017 where no major changes to the status quo were approved. The party decided in favour of holding a traditional delegated leadership convention rather than a one member, one vote election. In the 2015 race, labour unions had been allotted 31 per cent of delegate slots.[1][2][3][4]

Timeline

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  • April 19, 2016 — General election. Greg Selinger's NDP government is defeated; Selinger announces his intention to resign as party leader.[5]
  • May 7, 2016 — Flor Marcelino (Logan) is named interim leader of the NDP and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
  • September 21, 2016 — Kevin Chief, a former senior minister in Selinger's cabinet who was widely seen as his likely successor, announces he will not be a candidate for the leadership. He subsequently announced his resignation as an MLA, effective January 9, 2017.[6][7]
  • June 12, 2016 — NDP Provincial Council decides that the leadership election will be held by October 2017.[2]
  • December 11, 2016 — NDP Provincial Council decides that the election be held in mid-September 2017 and recommends a series of rule changes such as a leadership review process, that one of two systems be used for electing the leader: The first would allow every party member to vote, with a minimum number of votes guaranteed to smaller constituencies and unions. The second would use a delegate system that would include more flexibility and representation for unions. Recommendations are to be voted upon at the annual NDP convention in March.[8]
  • March 17–19, 2017 — NDP annual convention to meet at the Indian & Metis Friendship Centre in Winnipeg. The convention decided to have a traditional delegated leadership convention rather than have a One Member One Vote election.[9]
  • April 10, 2017 — Wab Kinew declares his candidacy.[10]
  • June 18, 2017, 4:30 PM — Deadline to become a new member or renew membership of the party and be able to vote for delegates to the convention, or be a delegate.[11]
  • June 28, 2017 — Steve Ashton declares his candidacy.[12]
  • July 15, 2017 — Nomination deadline[13]
  • July 18, 2017, 7 PM — Leadership forum at Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon[11]
  • July 20, 2017, 7:30 PM — Leadership forum at Gimli Recreation Centre in Gimli[11]
  • July 24, 2017, 7 PM — Leadership forum at Vale Community Centre Gymnasium in Thompson[11]
  • July 26, 2017, 7 PM — Leadership forum at Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex, University of Winnipeg[11]
  • July 31, 2017 — Deadline to apply to stand to be a delegate.[11]
  • August 8, 2017, 9:30 AM — Online voting to elect delegates begins.[14]
  • August 21, 2017, 4:30 PM — Online voting to elect delegates ends.[14]
  • September 16, 2017 — Leadership election to be held.[13] Call to order at noon (Central Time), voting begins at 1:40 PM.[15] Wab Kinew declared elected at 3:28 PM.

Candidates

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Steve Ashton

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Main article: Steve Ashton

Steve Ashton,[16] aged 61 at the time, launched his campaign on June 28, 2017.[12]

Pledges made by Ashton included:

  • reinvesting in community hospitals[12]
  • rebuilding the Manitoba NDP in rural Manitoba[12]
  • raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour in the first year of an NDP mandate[12]
  • lowering university tuition fees[12]
Background

Former MLA for Thompson (1981–2016), Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation and Minister responsible for Emergency Measures (2015–2016), Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (2009–2014), Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (2006–2009), Minister of Water Stewardship (2003–2006), Minister of Labour and Immigration (2003), Minister of Conservation (2002–2003), Minister of Transportation and Government Services (2001–2002), Minister of Highways and Government Services (1999–2001). Runner-up in the 2009 leadership election and third place candidate in the 2015 leadership election.[17][12] Father of federal NDP MP Niki Ashton.

Supporters

Wab Kinew

[edit]
Main article: Wab Kinew

Wab Kinew,[19] aged 35 at the time, launched his campaign on April 10, 2017.[10][20]

Pledges made by Kinew included:

  • increasing minimum wage to $15 an hour incrementally by 2024[21]
  • targeting an NDP Caucus of 50% women, transgender, and non-binary-gender people. (Kinew would name an advisory council to assist in reaching this goal.)[22]
  • implementing universal pharmacare[23]
  • investing more in recreation and active living facilities[24]
Background

Incumbent MLA for Fort Rouge since 2016, former broadcaster, musician, author, and professor.

Supporters

Michelle McHale

[edit]

Michelle McHale launched her campaign on March 10, 2017,[33] but subsequently ended it on April 22.[34] She would thereafter endorse Wab Kinew.[27]

Background

Michelle McHale is a staff representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers union and social activist. She gained national prominence for organizing a pride parade in Steinbach, a conservative town in the province's Bible Belt.[35]

Declined

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Results

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Candidate Votes %
Wab Kinew 728 74.3
Steve Ashton 253 25.7
Total Valid Votes 981 100.00

References

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  1. ^ "NDP spar over leadership rules at convention". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Manitoba NDP plan to have new leader by October 2017". Winnipegsun.com. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  3. ^ "Manitoba NDP plan to have new leader by October 2017". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "NDP's dragging heels hampers future leadership". Winnipegfreepress.com. January 3, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  5. ^ "Selinger resigns as NDP leader after big loss to PCs". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  6. ^ "Kevin Chief opts out of Manitoba NDP leadership race". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  7. ^ "Chief makes it official: Point Douglas NDP MLA files resignation papers". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  8. ^ "Manitoba NDP eye new leadership rules". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  9. ^ "Manitoba NDP reject push to allow every member a vote on party leadership - Philippine Canadian Inquirer". Canadianenquirer.net. March 19, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Running for love: Wab Kinew launches bid to lead Manitoba NDP". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Leadership 2017 - Manitoba NDP". todaysndp.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Steve Ashton jumps into Manitoba NDP leadership race". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  13. ^ a b c "McHale abandons Manitoba NDP leadership bid; cites health concerns | Manitoba | News | Winnipeg Sun". Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Leadership 2017: Frequently Asked Questions - Manitoba NDP". todaysndp.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  15. ^ http://todaysndp.ca/sites/default/files/leadership_convention_agenda.pdf[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Campaign website: https://web.archive.org/web/20180203183206/https://steveashtonndp.ca/
  17. ^ a b Lambert, Steve (April 20, 2016). "Greg Selinger target of blame for NDP defeat in Manitoba". Ctvnews.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  18. ^ Graham, Ian (June 28, 2017). "Third time's a charm? Steve Ashton seeks once more to become Manitoba NDP leader". Thompsoncitizen.net. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  19. ^ Campaign website: https://www.wabkinew.ca/ Archived 2017-07-10 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ "Wab Kinew making it official: set to announce run for leadership of beleaguered NDP". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  21. ^ "Kinew promises $15 minimum wage by 2024". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  22. ^ "Kinew Commits to Target of Gender Balance in Caucus: New Advisory Group to Develop Plan, Recruit and Mentor Candidates". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  23. ^ "Kinew Backs Call For Universal Pharmacare". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  24. ^ "Kinew Pledges Support for Investing in Recreation, Active Living Facilities". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  25. ^ "Kinew Selling Tons Of Memberships - MyToba.ca News". Mytoba.ca. June 20, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  26. ^ a b "Wab Kinew endorsed by fellow MLA". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Endorsements". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  28. ^ "More Manitoba MPs Come Out for Kinew". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  29. ^ "Stephen Lewis Endorses Kinew". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  30. ^ Wab Kinew [@WabKinew] (May 5, 2017). "Proud to have the support of brother @theJagmeetSingh on my leadership campaign. Great day charting new directions for New Democrats #vibes" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "MFL's Unanimous Endorsement Shows Labour Uniting Behind Kinew". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  32. ^ a b c "Unions Representing Over 28,000 Members Endorse Kinew Momentum builds with support from ATU, CUPE, IBEW". Wabkinew.ca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  33. ^ "Michelle McHale launches Manitoba NDP leadership bid". Globalnews.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  34. ^ "Michelle McHale quits Manitoba NDP leadership race". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  35. ^ a b "Pride organizer considering Manitoba NDP leadership bid". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  36. ^ "Selinger emerges from last cabinet meeting as premier of NDP government". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  37. ^ "Winnipeg MLA Allum Endorses Wab Kinew". MyToba.ca. June 9, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  38. ^ "MP Ashton mulls another bid for federal NDP leadership". Winnipegfreepress.com. April 26, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  39. ^ "'Heart-breaking night': Future of Manitoba NDP unclear after loss to PCs". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  40. ^ "Kevin Chief won't run for NDP leadership". Winnipegfreepress.com. September 21, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  41. ^ Lambert, Steve (June 7, 2017). "Former justice minister backs Wab Kinew's bid for helm of Manitoba NDP". Winnipeg.ctvnews.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  42. ^ "Mayes won't seek NDP leadership". Winnipegfreepress.com. January 17, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  43. ^ a b "Ashton or Kinew? Poll points to 2 NDP leadership frontrunners". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  44. ^ "Andrew Swan endorses Wab Kinew for Manitoba NDP leader". Cbc.ca. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
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