Stefanson puts positive light on massive exodus from Tory caucus Premier promises cabinet shuffle, says lineup changes prior to election ‘a really exciting time’
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This article was published 08/01/2023 (716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson will shuffle her inner circle, promising rejuvenation for the Progressive Conservative party after batch of longtime MLAs announced they will not run for re-election.
“I will be making changes,” Stefanson said Monday at her first public appearance since mid-December.
A cabinet shuffle is expected in the near term, the premier said following the launch of a refreshed Travel Manitoba tourism brand at the RBC Convention Centre.
“Now is a time when people have made their decisions — their final decisions — with their families as to what their future holds,” Stefanson said. “I think it’s time for some changes.”
The premier addressed media for the first time since multiple MLAs said they would not run in the general election, scheduled for early October, over the past two weeks.
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The stream of announcements began during the holiday season while Stefanson was vacationing in Florida with her family.
Deputy premier Cliff Cullen, Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere, Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clark and Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister Reg Helwer are among the executive council members who have chosen not to pursue another term in office.
Roblin MLA and Speaker Myrna Driedger and backbenchers Cathy Cox, Ralph Eichler, Ian Wishart, Blaine Pedersen and Dennis Smook are also calling it a career.
Stefanson thanked her outgoing colleagues for their service to the public and said turnover is good. The cabinet shuffle will also be an opportunity to raise MLA profiles in swing seats, she said.
“This is a very personal decision that each one of them made and they said in their words why they are moving on, and you can see from that that it’s family reasons and many, many parts of that,” Stefanson said.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our party and our province to rejuvenate and look towards the future.”
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Heather Stefanson answers questions from the media after the launch of Travel Manitoba’s new ad campaign at the Convention Centre Monday.
The four ministers who have decided to call it a career should expect their spot in cabinet to be offered to MLAs prepared to carry the Tory banner into the general election, University of Manitoba political studies professor Royce Koop said.
The next executive council will be the premier’s “war cabinet,” he said.
“Who is she going to take into battle with her? That’s the concern,” Koop said.
Stefanson will likely elevate incumbent MLAs holding seats in urban centres — particularly in Winnipeg where they have been trailing behind the New Democrats in the polls — who can effectively deliver the Tory government’s message to the public, Koop said.
Ministers Rochelle Squires, Audrey Gordon and Sarah Guillemard, who all hold vulnerable Winnipeg seats, will likely remain in cabinet, he said.
“The question is, who is she trying to build connections with and how do you win elections in Manitoba? You basically win them in suburban Winnipeg seats,” Koop said. “The government desperately needs to do better amongst women, so you can expect to see more women in cabinet…. You expect to see younger people in.”
“The government desperately needs to do better amongst women, so you can expect to see more women in cabinet…. You expect to see younger people in.”–Royce Koop
As she selects new MLAs for cabinet, the premier will also be balancing the need for administrative competency with perceived star power to improve the Tories’ popularity.
Fort Whyte MLA Obby Khan could be one such backbencher receiving a promotion, Koop said.
The former Winnipeg Blue Bomber and business owner has emceed a number of government announcements in recent months and is legislative assistant to Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Andrew Smith.
“He’s the kind of guy Stefanson wants to have making announcements for the government and for the party,” Koop said. “His star is only going to rise.”
Meanwhile, rookie MLA Kevin Klein, who was elected in Kirkfield Park a month ago, will be a cabinet contender, Koop said. Radisson MLA James Teitsma, the legislative assistant to Gordon, could also be up for a promotion.
“There is something to be said for the idea of younger, fresher faces, newer voices, younger voices — people that give the government, give the party, a new appeal,” Koop said.
“The government is really running out of time and it’s becoming evident that the polls are not moving. And so, in the party there’s going to be more of an expectation for the premier to start hitting for the fences.”
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS As Premier Heather Stefanson selects new MLAs for cabinet, she will also be balancing the need for administrative competency with perceived star power to improve the Tories’ popularity.
Stefanson said the bulk of MLAs who are not going to run for re-election have publicized their decision. Only MLAs Shannon Martin (McPhillips), Brad Michaleski (Dauphin) and Rick Wowchuk (Swan River) have yet to declare their intentions. Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said he will seek the party nomination in Steinbach.
A number of PC nominations will likely be contested, Stefanson said, and she hopes to see the party tent to grow and reflect Manitoba communities in the process. She has not set a deadline to select candidates for all 57 seats.
“We will have many more exciting candidates coming forward for our party,” she said. “It’s a really exciting time.”
MLAs choosing not to run again are taking the opportunity to spend time with family following the COVID-19 pandemic, the premier said.
“My message to Manitoba is rejuvenation is a positive thing,” she said. “When people have come to the end of their political lives, they’re making those decisions for (themselves), and it’s a very exciting thing.”
danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
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History
Updated on Monday, January 9, 2023 6:15 PM CST: Adds comments from the premier and political watchers.
