Former rebel NDP cabinet minister Theresa Oswald won't seek re-election in Manitoba

Theresa Oswald, the former NDP cabinet minister who tried to topple Greg Selinger as premier of Manitoba, will not seek re-election.

She said she met with the premier Tuesday morning to let him know.

"We talked. It was respectful," she said, adding it was a difficult decision to part ways with political life but one that is best for her and her family, including her 10-year-old son.

"When I shared this decision with him he was lovely," Oswald said of her son.  "He said, 'Mom I think you did a really great job and whatever it is that's next for you you're going to do a good job at that too. And I think that we should make some cookies tonight.'"

Oswald, 49, has been an MLA since 2003, and came close to being the first female premier in Manitoba earlier this year. She was within 33 votes of defeating Selinger on the second ballot at a party leadership convention in March.

Oswald was one of the group of five NDP cabinet minister who resigned from cabinet — Oswald as health minister — in November 2014 after Selinger refused to step down as leader of the party.

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The group had openly questioned his leadership amid public approval ratings that started plummeting after the provincial sales tax was raised in 2013.

She remained an MLA after her resignation. Oswald said the five remain tight.

"You know, those are friends for life for sure," she said. "We've been to war together."

Jennifer Howard, another one of the five rebels, said on Tuesday she is sorry to see her friend leaving politics.

"It's always sad to lose a colleague, especially a smart, compassionate woman like Theresa. She made a great contribution to Manitoba and to her community ‎and I know her commitment to fairness and equality will be part of whatever she does next," Howard said.

"I wish her and her family the best as they make this transition together."

Oswald leaves 'hole to fill:' Selinger

Although she led the revolt against Selinger, the premier had some kind words for Oswald.

Selinger said he would have preferred she stay and run again next year and that she made a strong contribution to Manitoba and to the NDP. 

He said losing her means the party has to find someone else to run in Seine River. 

"She certainly had a commanding role in that seat and knew the community extremely well having grown up in that area. So there's no question it's a hole to fill for sure," Selinger said.

"But we do know that the constituency is in good shape with lots of volunteers and members have done some good fundraising. But you know, replacing a high profile member of the legislature is never an easy task."