Manitoba politicians are gearing up for an election after Premier Heather Stefanson officially called for one on Tuesday morning. Stefanson, who became the province’s 24th premier in November 2021 and the first woman to hold the position in Manitoba’s history, is seeking a third consecutive majority government for her Progressive Conservative party. The election is set for October 3 and is expected to be a close race between the Tories and the opposition NDP, led by Wab Kinew. If elected, Kinew would become Manitoba’s first First Nations premier.
Recent opinion polls show the NDP in the lead, particularly in Winnipeg, and indicate a decline in support for the Tories during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the NDP’s popularity has narrowed in recent months. The Manitoba Liberal Party, led by Dougald Lamont, aims to increase its number of seats in the legislature from the current three.
Stefanson launched her campaign at a Food Fare store on Portage Avenue, promising to make life more affordable for Manitobans and presenting her party as the only solution to the province’s financial troubles. She also pledged to balance the budget by 2025.
Both the NDP and Liberal parties also launched their campaigns on Tuesday, with Kinew criticizing Stefanson’s pre-election promises as desperate and questioning why the PCs didn’t take action earlier. Kinew stated that the NDP would consider implementing the PCs’ proposals if they benefit Manitobans. Lamont announced that his party is focused on fielding strong candidates in all ridings and will release its fully-costed platform on Wednesday.
Political analyst Chris Adams suggested that while some voters may make up their minds during the campaign, many have already decided where their loyalties lie. Adams believes voter turnout will depend on whether people feel their vote matters and can make a difference. He also noted that Manitoba allows voters to formally decline their vote if they don’t support any of the candidates, which is unique among provinces.
Advance voting will take place from September 23-30, and voters can cast their ballots at any advance poll in the province. On election day, voters must go to a polling station in their electoral division. Candidates have until September 11 to file nomination papers, and additional information on voter eligibility and registration can be found on the Elections Manitoba website. Follow Global Winnipeg’s promise tracker to stay updated on each party’s key issues throughout the campaign.
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