Pallister staying mute on Tory leadership; expects he’ll be gone by year’s end

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This article was published 22/08/2021 (1124 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — Premier Brian Pallister refused to say Monday whether his caucus staged a revolt or if he feels betrayed, as he addressed reporters for the first time since announcing he plans to retire.

The premier was asked if his caucus had ever raised concerns about Bill 64, which would eliminate elected English language school boards, or if he felt betrayed last week after high-profile members of his own caucus publicly opposed the legislation, including former health minister Heather Stefanson who announced her bid to replace him as leader and promised to kill the bill.

“I’ve been through this rodeo a lot in 29 years, so I’ve seen contests before,” Pallister said outside the Portage District General Hospital Monday, after announcing plans to build a $283-million hospital to replace the aging facility.

He suggested that PC caucus members — including education minister Cliff Cullen — opposed their own government’s legislation, which was scheduled for debate this fall, for political reasons.

“I’m aware of the nature of leadership contests: the need to stake out ground, the need to position yourself and wedge,” the premier said. “We have a diverse caucus of strong-willed people. We have a strong group discussion on every issue,” he said, especially those that Manitobans care most about: health care, social services and education.

“We can have a better system. The question of how we get there will be answered by my successor and my colleagues — not by me.” Pallister said he still supports the need for change in the education system. “The nature of how that changes, is up for discussion.”

The premier spoke publicly for the first time since Aug. 10, when he said he’ll retire from politics at a meeting of his caucus in Brandon. He announced then that he was stepping down to give the party ample time to choose a new leader — and for Manitobans to get to know that person — before the next election in 2023.

On Monday, he was at the Brandon Regional Health Centre to announce $812 million for health care, but he did not discuss any details about his plan for leaving. He said he expected a new leader would be chosen by his party in the next few weeks.

“I won’t make any comments about the succession contest at all,” Pallister said later in the day in Portage la Prairie.

“You understand I have to stay totally neutral and I will.” The premier said he would send a message to the PC party executive council meeting Monday night but would not attend it. The party did not respond to a request for comment about any dates or details for the leadership contest.

The Free Press learned Monday night that memberships can be sold until Sept. 30 and the convention and vote has been set for Oct. 30.

Meanwhile, Pallister said it is “critical” that the government remembers its responsibility — “like the ones we are addressing today that are vital. Moving forward with health care and progress on an number of other files is really important.”

He dismissed the notion that the health care capital investments announced Monday were to build his legacy. Pallister said his government was first elected in 2016 to fix the province’s finances and improve the way services are delivered.

“What we inherited was a mess, a colossal mess. We worked very hard to clean it up.”

Manitoba’s 22nd premier had indicated earlier this summer that he planned to retire when the COVID-19 pandemic was under control.

When asked about leaving in a pandemic and only halfway into his four-year mandate, he said he expects his critics will have much to say but this is the right time for him to exit.

Rather than feeling pressured to go by his caucus, Pallister said he’s 67 and looking forward to spending more time with his grown children and his friends.

“Tough decision. Right decision. I feel good about Manitoba’s prospects.”

— With files from The Canadian Press

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca