2015 New Democratic Party of Manitoba leadership election explained
The New Democratic Party of Manitoba leadership election of 2015 was called at the request of Premier Greg Selinger following the resignation of five members of his cabinet in protest of his leadership of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba. Selinger ran in the election, facing two challengers, but prevailed on the second ballot.
Rules
Candidates must pay an entry fee of $2,000 and submit a nomination form signed by at least 50 members of the party. The election is being conducted as a traditional delegated leadership convention with delegates being selected by each electoral district and affiliated trade union who will then attend the convention and vote in ballots until one candidate wins 50% + 1 of the vote.[2] [3] Union delegates are required to be members of the NDP and be a member of the local they represent.[4]
Delegates
There are approximately 2,217 delegate spots. Manitoba's 57 NDP constituency associations may send up to 1,242 delegates chosen at constituency meetings.[5] Trade unions are entitled to send up to 691 delegates.[4] Another 200 delegates are automatic delegates, two each from each riding association with the rest being NDP MLAs, Members of Parliament and other party dignitaries.[6]
Union affiliates were having difficulty finding enough delegates to fill their delegations and were reportedly only able to fill 361 of 691 positions. Unions were allotted one delegate for every 100 members of the union. Each delegate must be a member of the NDP and of the local they were representing.[4]
Timeline
- April 2013 – Selinger's government increases the provincial sales tax by 1%, a move which leads to a precipitous decline in popular support for the government.[7]
- October 2013 – Due, in part, to the unpopularity of the tax increase, the NDP runs behind the Opposition Progressive Conservatives in public opinion polls; Selinger attempts to turn around the party's fortunes by shuffling his cabinet and promising to use increased tax revenues exclusively for infrastructure projects.[7]
- September 2014 – During a caucus retreat several MLAs openly tell Selinger he needs to resign if the party is to have a chance of winning the next provincial election. Selinger refuses.[7]
- October 27–28, 2014 – Five senior cabinet ministers and several senior party officials go public with their call for Selinger's resignation.[7]
- November 3, 2014 – The five ministers resign from cabinet due to their opposition to Selinger's leadership; they are Jennifer Howard, (Fort Rouge), minister of finance, Stan Struthers, (Dauphin), minister of municipal government, Theresa Oswald, (Seine River), minister for jobs and the economy, Andrew Swan, (Minto), minister of justice and Erin Selby, (Southdale), minister of health.[8]
- November 9, 2014 – Selinger asks the party executive to hold a leadership election during the party's annual convention scheduled for March 6–8, 2015 and states his intention to be a candidate.[9]
- November 15, 2014 – Party executive agrees to hold a leadership election on March 6, 2015, during the party's annual convention.[10]
- November 18, 2014 – Special Committee led by party president Ellen Olfert is struck to draw up recommendations for rules governing the leadership election.[11]
- November 29, 2014 – Special Committee reports back to party executive with recommendations. Party executive announces that there is nothing in the party's constitution, the Elections Act or the Elections Financing Act that would require Selinger to step down during the leadership campaign. Party executive approves the Special Committee's recommendations and refers them to Provincial Council.[12]
- December 6, 2014 – Special Committee recommendations brought to Provincial Council and approved.[13] Motion to formally request that Selinger step down as Premier during the leadership campaign is defeated.[14]
- December 15, 2014 – Nominations opens, campaign period begins.[15]
- December 21, 2014 – former cabinet minister Theresa Oswald announces her candidacy.
- December 22, 2014 – Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Steve Ashton resigns from cabinet and states he will make an announcement about entering the leadership contest the next day.[16]
- January 6, 2015 – Nomination period closes.[15] Last day an individual can take membership in the party and be eligible to vote in the election.[17]
- February 6–25, 2015 – Delegate selection meetings held by the party's 57 local constituency associations.[18]
- March 6–8, 2015 – Leadership convention.
- March 8, 2015 – Leadership vote conducted, Selinger wins on the second ballot.
Declared candidates
- BackgroundMLA for Thompson (1981–2016), Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation (2009–2014), Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (2006–2009), Minister of Water Stewardship (2003–2006), Minister of Labour and Immigration (2003), Minister of Conservation (2002–2003), Minister of Transportation and Government Services (2001–2002), Minister of Highways and Government Services (1999–2001). Runner-up in the 2009 leadership election.
Date candidacy declared: December 23, 2014[16]
- Supporters
Support from caucus members: Jim Rondeau (Assiniboia), former cabinet minister (2003–2013); Dave Gaudreau (St. Norbert); Tom Nevakshonoff (Interlake); Jim Maloway (Elmwood);[19] Bidhu Jha (Radisson); Christine Melnick (Riel)[20]
Support from federal caucus members:
Support from former provincial caucus members:
Support from affiliates: United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, United Steel Workers of America[21]
Other prominent supporters:
Policies: Ashton is promising to hold a referendum on the government's previous increase in the provincial sales tax[22] Says campaign based on four fundamentals: reconnecting the government with Manitobans, rebuilding the NDP, respecting social democratic principles and refocusing government policies and programs on serving Manitobans throughout the province.[23]
Campaign website: steveforleader.ca
- BackgroundMLA for Seine River (2003–2016), Minister of Jobs and the Economy (2013–2014), Minister of Health (2006–2013), Minister of Healthy Living (2004–2006)[14]
Date candidacy declared: December 21, 2014[24]
- Supporters
Support from caucus members: Tourism minister Ron Lemieux (Dawson Trail); Nancy Allan (St. Vital), former education minister;[24] Jennifer Howard (Fort Rouge), former minister of finance; Stan Struthers (Dauphin), former minister of municipal government; Andrew Swan (Minto), former minister of justice; Erin Selby (Southdale), former minister of health; Clarence Pettersen (Flin Flon)[20]
Support from federal caucus members:
Support from former provincial caucus members: Eugene Kostyra, MLA for Seven Oaks (1981–1987), former finance minister[25]
Support from affiliates: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2085[21]
Other prominent supporters: Michael Balagus, former chief of staff to premiers Gary Doer and Selinger;[26] Alissa Brandt, director of the premier's secretariat under Selinger;[27] Brandon city councillors Jan Chaboyer and Lonnie Patterson;[28] Anna Rothney, secretary of the planning and priorities committee of cabinet in the Selinger government;[27] former NDP presidents Lorraine Sigurdson and Carmen Neufeld[29]
Policies:
Campaign website: theresaformanitoba.ca
- BackgroundMLA for St. Boniface (1999–2018), Premier of Manitoba and party leader (2009–2016), Minister of Finance (1999–2009).
Date candidacy declared: January 2, 2015[30]
- Supporters
Support from caucus members: James Allum, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education and Advanced Learning; Sharon Blady, Minister of Health; Drew Caldwell, Minister of Municipal Government; Kevin Chief, Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities; Deanne Crothers, Minister of Healthy Living and Seniors; Greg Dewar, Minister of Finance; Eric Robinson, Deputy Premier; Mohinder Saran (The Maples); Melanie Wight, Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities; Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Family Services; Flor Marcelino, Minister of Multiculturalism and Literacy; Ted Marcelino (Tyndall Park);[20] Ron Kostyshyn, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and Infrastructure and Transportation[31]
Support from federal caucus members: Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair[32]
Support from former provincial caucus members:
Support from affiliates: CUPE Manitoba, UFCW Local 0832[21]
Other prominent supporters:
Policies:
Campaign website: gregselinger2015.caDeclined
Delegate selection meetings
| Riding | Date | Winner | Delegates | Caucus Member (Supporting) |
|---|
| Feb. 6 | Ashton | 9[34] | RONDEAU, Jim (Ashton) |
| Feb. 6 | Oswald | 9 | BLADY, Sharon (Selinger) |
| Feb. 6 | Ashton | 5 | |
| Feb. 7 | Ashton | 61[35] | MALOWAY, Jim (Ashton) |
| Feb. 7 | Oswald | 17 | MELNICK, Christine (Ashton) |
| Feb. 7 | Oswald | 16 | SELBY, Erin (Oswald) |
| Feb. 7 | Oswald | 15 | ALLAN, Nancy (Oswald) |
| Feb. 7 | Oswald | 15 | OSWALD, Theresa (Oswald) |
| Feb. 7 | Ashton | 30 | BRAUN, Erna |
| Feb. 8 | Oswald | 19 | SWAN, Andrew (Oswald) |
| Feb. 8 | Oswald | 13 | CROTHERS, Deanne (Selinger) |
| Feb. 8 | Selinger | 34 | CHIEF, Kevin (Selinger) |
| Feb. 9 | Ashton | 14 | NEVAKSHONOFF, Thomas (Ashton) |
| Feb. 9 | Ashton | 5 | |
| Feb. 10 | Oswald | 6 | |
| Feb. 10 | Ashton | 13 | |
| Feb. 10 | Selinger | 15 | BJORNSON, Peter (Selinger) |
| Feb. 10 | Oswald | 5 | |
| Feb. 11 | Selinger & Oswald (tie) | 6 | |
| Feb. 11 | Oswald | 5 | |
| Feb. 11 | Oswald | 6 | LEMIEUX, Ron (Oswald) |
| Feb. 11 | Ashton | 5 | |
| Feb. 11 | Oswald | 5 | |
| Feb. 12 | Ashton | 18 | IRVIN-ROSS, Kerri (Selinger) |
| Feb. 12 | Selinger | 21 | CHOMIAK, Dave |
| Feb. 13 | Selinger | 13 | CALDWELL, Drew (Selinger) |
| Feb. 13 | Selinger | 9 | |
| Feb. 13 | Selinger | 20 | MACKINTOSH, Gord |
| Feb. 14 | Selinger | 28 | MARCELINO, Florfina (Selinger) |
| Feb. 14 | Ashton | 18 | JHA, Bidhu (Ashton) |
| Feb. 14 | Oswald | 22 | REID, Daryl (Neutral) |
| Feb. 15 | Selinger | 117 | SARAN, Mohinder (Selinger) |
| Feb. 15 | Oswald[36] | 48 | ALTEMEYER, Rob |
| Feb. 17 | Oswald | 17 | STRUTHERS, Stan (Oswald) |
| Feb. 17 | Selinger | 5 | |
| Feb. 18 | Oswald | 5 | |
| Feb. 18 | Oswald | 5 | |
| Feb. 19 | Ashton | 25 | |
| Feb. 19 | Selinger | 11 | DEWAR, Greg (Selinger) |
| Feb. 20 | Selinger | 25 | ALLUM, James (Selinger) |
| Feb. 20 | Selinger | 11 | |
| Feb. 20 | Ashton | 10 | |
| Feb. 21 | Selinger | 27 | WIGHT, Melanie (Selinger) |
| Feb. 21 | Selinger | 25 | MARCELINO, Ted (Selinger) |
| Feb. 21 | Ashton | 46 | WIEBE, Matt (Neutral) |
| Feb. 22 | Oswald | 23 | HOWARD, Jennifer (Oswald) |
| Feb. 22 | Oswald | 16 | |
| Feb. 22 | Ashton | 44 | GAUDREAU, Dave (Ashton) |
| Feb. 23 | Oswald | 6 | |
| Feb. 23 | Oswald | 6 | |
| Feb. 24 | Selinger | 14 | |
| Feb. 25 | Selinger | 23 | SELINGER, Gregory F. (Selinger) |
| Mail-in | Oswald | 22 | PETTERSEN, Clarence (Oswald) |
| Mail-in | Selinger | 5 | ROBINSON, Eric (Selinger) |
| Mail-in | Selinger | 22 | KOSTYSHYN, Ron (Selinger) |
| Mail-in | Ashton | 145 | |
| Mail-in | Ashton | 61 | ASHTON, Steve (Ashton) |
| Mail-in | Oswald | 92 | | |
Results
First ballot
Ashton eliminated. Releases his delegates, did not publicly endorse another candidate[37] Second ballot
Notes and References
- News: Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has to pay to try to retain NDP leadership. December 16, 2014. Globe and Mail. December 16, 2014.
- http://todaysndp.ca/sites/default/files/final_handbook_-_stand_for_leader_at_convention_.pdf Election of Leader at Convention 2015 Handbook
- Web site: Manitoba NDP release rules for race that will choose premier - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca.
- News: Unions to hold less sway in Manitoba NDP leadership race: sources. February 28, 2015. Brandon Sun. Canadian Press. February 26, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100753/http://www.brandonsun.com/national/breaking-news/unions-to-hold-less-sway-in-manitoba-ndp-leadership-race-sources-294322751.html?thx=y. April 2, 2015.
- News: Playing the numbers game. February 24, 2015. Winnipeg Free Press. February 24, 2015.
- News: Organized labour the key to NDP leadership. February 24, 2015. Winnipeg Free Press. February 24, 2015.
- News: A timeline of the Manitoba NDP leadership crisis. March 8, 2015. Metro. March 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120304/http://metronews.ca/news/canada/1306617/a-look-at-the-manitoba-ndp-leadership-crisis/. April 2, 2015. dead.
- Web site: Manitoba revolt: 5 ministers resign from Premier Greg Selinger's cabinet CBC News.
- Web site: Manitoba premier Greg Selinger will face party leadership vote in March - Winnipeg Free Press . 2014-11-21 . 2014-11-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129043518/http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/manitoba-premier-greg-selinger-will-face-party-leadership-vote-in-march-282069911.html . dead .
- Web site: Manitoba NDP executive accept premier's plan for March leadership contest - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca.
- Web site: Committee struck to prepare Manitoba NDP for leadership vote CBC News.
- News: No requirement for Selinger to resign during leadership race: Olfert. December 3, 2014. CTV News. November 30, 2014.
- News: Greg Selinger to stay on as premier during leadership race. December 6, 2014. CBC News. December 6, 2014.
- News: Manitoba NDP alsows Premier to keep job during party leadership race. December 6, 2014. December 6, 2014.
- Web site: DocumentCloud.
- News: BREAKING: Steve Ashton enters Manitoba NDP leadership race. December 22, 2014. Global News. December 22, 2014.
- News: NDP vote leaves Premier Selinger in place for leadership contest. December 6, 2014. Winnipeg Free Press. December 6, 2014.
- News: NDP leadership campaign now underway. December 16, 2014. Winnipeg Sun. December 15, 2014.
- News: Backbencher joins Ashton's team. December 31, 2014. Winnipeg Free Press. December 30, 2014.
- News: Who does your MLA support in the Manitoba NDP leadership race?. January 6, 2015. CBC News. January 9, 2015.
- News: Oswald nabs first union endorsement ahead of NDP leadership vote. February 24, 2015. CBC News. February 23, 2015.
- News: Steve Ashton launches Manitoba NDP leadership bid; new minister named. December 23, 2014. Global News. December 23, 2014.
- News: Ashton pledges to hold referendum on whether to scrap or keep PST increase if chosen NDP leader. December 23, 2014. CTV News. December 23, 2014.
- News: Oswald officially begins run for leadership of provincial NDP. December 21, 2014. Winnipeg Free Press. December 19, 2014.
- News: Theresa Oswald enters Manitoba NDP leadership race. December 21, 2014. Globe and Mail. December 21, 2014.
- News: Ashton vows to hold referendum on PST if chosen to lead NDP. December 24, 2014. CBC News.
- News: December 23, 2014 . Team Oswald lands experienced operatives for roster . Winnipeg Free Press . A4 . January 15, 2015.
- News: Tweed . Charles . January 3, 2015 . Councillors publicly back Oswald . Brandon Sun . January 15, 2015.
- News: Oswald gets support as she launches campaign to oust Manitoba premier. December 21, 2014. Globe and Mail. December 22, 2014.
- News: Selinger officially throws hat in leadership ring Friday. January 2, 2015. Winnipeg Free Press. January 2, 2015.
- Web site: Supporters - Greg Selinger Leadership Campaign . 2015-01-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150109234303/http://www.gregselinger2015.ca/supporters . 2015-01-09 . dead .
- News: Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has support of Tom Mulcair. December 22, 2014. CBC News. November 14, 2014.
- News: Manitoba NDP rising star Kevin Chief opts out of leadership race. January 1, 2015. Globe and Mail. January 1, 2015.
- News: Feb 2015: Selinger shut out in NDP delegation selection votes. Winnipeg Free Press. 6 February 2015.
- Steve Lambert, Canadian Press
- Bruce Owen, Winnipeg Free Press
- News: Manitoba Premier Selinger leads after first ballot in NDP leadership vote. March 8, 2015. Globe and Mail. March 8, 2015.
- News: Greg Selinger remains leader of Manitoba NDP, province's premier. March 8, 2015. CBC News. March 8, 2015.
