Construction trades unions support Selinger

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This article was published 28/09/2009 (6160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – Greg Selinger received the backing of Manitoba’s construction industry trade unions this morning and said that leadership challenger Andrew Swan “will be missed” from the leadership race.

With the Canadian Museum for Human Rights construction site near The Forks as a backdrop, Selinger got the support of the 14 member unions of the Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council.

But the big topic of discussion was leadership rival Swan’s decision to back out of the race to succeed Gary Doer as leader of the NDP.

“I was disappointed that he dropped out of the race,” Selinger, the former finance minister, told reporters. “I encouraged him to stay when I talked with him a couple of times this morning.

"I think it’s really important that we have many voices in the campaign. I know he’s made a personal decision. It’s a tough choice for him. I respect that. However, I thought he made a positive contribution to the campaign, and I believe he will be missed.”

Asked how he liked his chances now with Swan out of the race, Selinger said: “As I’ve said from the beginning, it’s a neck-and-neck race. I think it’s a very tight race. I believe that the two remaining candidates are basically deadlocked at this stage of the game as we move forward.

“Obviously the Swan camp will make decisions where they want to put their support. I believe I will get some of that support. I appreciate the support. … But I do not think this race is over by any means. I think it’s going to be a very tight race right up to convention. And I think it’ll be a very exciting convention, and I think we’re going to have good policy debate going forward.”

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca