11 MLAs leaving an 'exciting opportunity' to rejuvenate party, Manitoba premier says

Manitoba's premier insists she's "excited" about the future of the party, as well as changes to her inner circle, after several members of the Progressive Conservative caucus have announced they won't run in the next election.

Although she didn't say explicitly when there would be a cabinet shuffle, Premier Heather Stefanson said Monday she "will be making changes."

That comes after 11 of the 36 Tory MLAs who were in the caucus as of a year ago have either resigned, or said recently they don't plan to run in this year's provincial election, which must be held on or before Oct. 3.

Among those 11 were five cabinet members.

Despite the number of MLAs stepping down, Stefanson said Monday she's optimistic about what she described as an influx of newcomers looking to run under the PC banner in the coming election, as well as several fresh faces as cabinet ministers.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our party and our province to rejuvenate and look towards the future. I think it's so exciting — we have so many people who are coming forward who are excited to run for our party," she said following a Travel Manitoba news conference on Monday.

When asked whether the departures reflect the Tories' low standing in opinion polls, Stefanson chalked them up to family considerations and the members' long years in politics.

"Many people took the holidays to make decisions with their families, and I think we've seen the bulk of those that are coming forward."

Most recently, Labour Minister Reg Helwer said Friday that he won't run in the election slated for this fall.

Another cabinet member — Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere — said last week he doesn't plan to run again, as did Speaker Myrna Driedger and backbencher Cathy Cox.

Deputy premier Cliff Cullen said late last month he won't run again. That followed similar announcements from Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke, as well as backbenchers Ralph Eichler, Blaine Pedersen, Dennis Smook and Ian Wishart.

The exodus began last June, when Scott Fielding, who was then serving as the minister responsible for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, resigned his seat. He was replaced by former city councillor Kevin Klein in a tightly contested byelection last month.

While several Tory MLAs have indicated they do plan to run again, three have yet to declare their intentions: Shannon Martin (McPhillips), Brad Michaleski (Dauphin) and Rick Wowchuk (Swan River).

A spokesperson for the NDP caucus said in an email that the PC party is too focused on itself to think about families impacted by a struggling health-care system and high cost of living.

"A cabinet shuffle isn't going to fix anything, only a new NDP government can make life easier for families," the statement said.