Byelection may be miniature ‘test of mood’

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This article was published 26/02/2018 (2773 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The upcoming byelection for the provincial riding of St. Boniface could prove to be one of the more interesting recent political races in southeast Winnipeg.

Premier Brian Pallister will now call a byelection in the riding after longtime St. Boniface MLA and former premier Greg Selinger announced on Feb. 20 he will be stepping down as NDP MLA for the riding on March 7.

Selinger’s departure from frontline politics comes in the wake of sexual misconduct complaints against Stan Struthers, who was serving as a cabinet minister in Selinger’s former government at the time the incidents are alleged to have occurred. With Selinger’s departure imminent, the spotlight is now tilted on who may — or may not — seek the NDP nomination for the riding.

“It seems to me that an upcoming byelection in St. Boniface will be a kind of testing of the public mood in miniature,” Allen Mills, a professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg, told The Lance in light of Selinger’s announcement, noting the result of the byelection will likely signal headway for the NDP or the Liberals in the riding, and “less so the Conservatives.”

Looking at the recent history of the riding, as well as the Franco-Manitoban roots of many residents, Allen said Selinger has made his mark in the riding, despite its history of being somewhat of a Liberal stronghold.

“When you look at the Franco-Manitoban piece of it, it’s traditionally been a dependable base for the Liberal Party outside of Quebec. More recently, Selinger has had a special appeal. He was married to a Franco-Manitoban, and he speaks French,” Allen said.

When asked about his political plans for the future, Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface) said he will be continuing to focus on his role as city councillor.

“I am not planning to run for the NDP or any party,” Allard said. “Not now or in 2020.”

“I am running for re-election for city council in St. Boniface, which is a job I love and am proud of the work I’ve been doing and excited about what we can accomplish in the future.”

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) also said he is also focusing on continuing to serve the constituents of his ward.

“It would be an honour to represent St. Boniface in the legislature. About one-tenth of the riding overlaps my ward. However, I will not be seeking the nomination, and do not intend to run in the provincial election in 2020. Provincial politics may be in my future someday, but my focus remains on City Hall,” Mayes said.

“I intend to run for re-election to city council in the St. Vital ward in October 2018. It has been an honour to represent the area where I grew up and where my wife and I are raising our sons.”