Oct. 04, 2011 at 10:38 pm CDT in
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Progressive Conservative party leader Hugh McFadyen speaks to a throng of media on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. (SAMANTA KATZ / CHRISD.CA)
PC leader Hugh McFadyen delivers his concession speech on Tuesday night. (SAMANTA KATZ / CHRISD.CA)
After a crushing defeat in the 40th Manitoba election Tuesday, Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen announced he would step down as party leader.
Despite winning his own Fort Whyte seat, McFadyen addressed supporters during a brief speech at Canad Inns Polo Park to break the news.
“Under any other circumstance, I’d be happy with 46 percent of the vote,” McFadyen said.
McFadyen added he would stay on as party leader until a new leader can be elected.
The announcement came as a shock to many, but some political pundits were expecting it as early poll results began to flow in.
Premier Greg Selinger weighed in on McFadyen’s decision, saying, ”I wish he would have taken more time to think about it.”
Oct. 04, 2011 at 10:15 pm CDT in
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NDP leader Greg Selinger, Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen and Liberal leader Jon Gerrard (TED GRANT / CHRISD.CA FILE)
You couldn’t blame not voting on the weather, but Manitobans just weren’t feeling election day Tuesday as only about 57 percent of eligible voters visited local polling stations.
The unimpressive turnout, which is almost the lowest in Manitoba history, was a surprise to many with advance voting numbers coming in stronger than in 2007.
Approximately 78,600 Manitobans cast their ballots during the eight days advance polls were open. That’s compared to 42,775 votes cast over seven days in the 2007 election.
Elections Manitoba contributes the increase to more voting booths placed in strategic locations, such as shopping centres, universities, and at Winnipeg’s James Richardson International Airport.
To see results from all 57 provincial ridings, visit ElectionsManitoba.ca.
Oct. 04, 2011 at 9:57 pm CDT in
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Gord Steeves (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Progressive Conservative candidate and former city councillor Gord Steeves was defeated Tuesday night in the Seine River riding.
Steeves was up against incumbent NDP Health Minister Theresa Oswald, who was the popular choice among voters.
Steeves resigned from city council in early summer and gambled by seeking the PC nomination, and hopefully win a seat in the Manitoba legislature.
During his concession speech Tuesday night, Steeves wouldn’t say whether he would try to reclaim his St. Vital council seat in the upcoming by-election, but did hint at perhaps bowing out of politics altogether. He is expected to make an announcement on his future in the next two days.
Oct. 04, 2011 at 9:35 pm CDT in
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Jon Gerrard (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Liberal leader Jon Gerrard spoke to supporters in his River Heights riding Tuesday, shortly after being re-elected to the Manitoba legislature.
Gerrard, who holds the only Liberal seat, thanked voters for supporting him to his fourth win.
“There is a very strong future for Liberals in Manitoba,” Gerrard said. “We demonstrated we have the platforms, the ideas, and we have a lot of young candidates who will be the future of the Manitoba Liberal party.”
Gerrard said he was committed to representing his constituents.
The party had hoped to send at least a couple candidates to the legislature, but it wasn’t in the cards for the party who seems to have trouble resonating with voters.
Oct. 04, 2011 at 9:09 pm CDT in
News
Progressive Conservative party leader Hugh McFadyen arrives with his family to Canad Inns Polo Park on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. (SAMANTA KATZ / CHRISD.CA)
Supporters of the Progressive Conservative party applaud at the news leader Hugh McFadyen won his Fort Whyte riding on Tuesday. (SAMANTA KATZ / CHRISD.CA)
Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen has been re-elected to his home riding of Fort Whyte.
McFadyen won with a large margin over NDP candidate Sunny Dhaliwal and Liberal candidate Chae Tsai.
The PCs were hoping to form a majority in the Manitoba legislature, but will remain the opposition as the NDP returns to power.
McFadyen was feeling confident Tuesday morning as he cast his ballot at Robert H. Smith School.
A poll conducted by Probe Research and released last weekend had the PCs trailing by three percent behind the NDP.
Oct. 04, 2011 at 7:59 pm CDT in
News
Progressive Conservative party campaign manager Marni Larkin speaks to CBC reporter Wab Kinew at party headquarters at Canad Inns Polo Park on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. (SAMANTA KATZ / CHRISD.CA)
Before polls closed on Tuesday in Manitoba’s 40th provincial election, at least one ballot box had to be sealed.
Progressive Conservative campaign manager Marni Larkin said there were “irregularities” with a ballot box in the Point Douglas riding. The PCs are running candidate John Vernaus in the area.
Larkin also said there were reports of “cheating” involved as well.
The spoiled ballots will not be counted tonight.
Larkin has plenty of experience running prior campaigns — she was Sam Katz’s campaign manager during his successful re-election win as Winnipeg’s mayor in the 2010 civic election.
Oct. 02, 2011 at 8:14 am CDT in
News
Posted by David Klassen
With just days to go until the provincial election, one of the issues is still involving youth in the democratic process.
Manitobans aged 18-35 have been the key demographic that contributes to low voter turnout. A Winnipeg-based website is hoping to change that statistic.
Get Out The Vote (GOTV) is a non-partisan volunteer group of youth who think that ‘politics as usual’ isn’t working for them and want the candidates to know that they are paying attention and want change.
“Our mission is bold,” said Sim Pannu, GOTV campaign director. “We want all of the apathetic youth in Manitoba — all the ones who think their vote doesn’t matter — the ones who think that their single vote won’t make a difference to make that change happen.”
The campaign’s website (GotVote.ca) includes quotes from youth on both sides of the voting fence. The site also allows the opportunity to have your say on the issues, party platforms and review articles related to the election.
Voters head to the polls on Tuesday.
Sep. 29, 2011 at 11:28 am CDT in
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Greg Selinger (CHRISD.CA FILE)
NDP leader Greg Selinger spoke to a business crowd Thursday morning, where he outlined the importance Manitoba Hydro plays to the province’s economy.
“Hydro power is Manitoba’s oil,” Selinger told the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “The main economic question in this election is do we build Hydro or not? The differences between myself and Mr. McFadyen on this are clear as day.”
Selinger went on to outline Hydro’s contribution of $500 million to the economy each year through export sales, and noted it’s poised to invest as much as $15 billion in new dams and transmission lines.
Selinger again went on to criticize his main opponent, Progressive Conservative Party leader Hugh McFadyen, saying the PCs would be “reckless” with their plans for Bipole III, a controversial high-voltage Manitoba Hydro transmission line taking power to northern Manitoba via the west side of the province. McFadyen has continually said his government would reroute the line on the east side of Lake Winnipeg — making for a shorter, more cost-effective alternative.
“The Liberals want to put the Bipole under water,” Selinger added. “Different parties, different positions, but both would lead to the same sorry results: letting jobs and opportunities die on the vine.”
The Green Party has gone on record to say the project wouldn’t be necessary at all.
Sep. 28, 2011 at 11:22 am CDT in
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NDP leader Greg Selinger announces a plan to expand home care in the province on Wednesday, September 28, 2011. (CHRISD.CA)
Manitoba NDP leader Greg Selinger vowed on Wednesday to expand home care to include doctors, nurse practitioners and other health professionals to help seniors improve their health and remain in their own homes longer.
New hospital home teams will provide specialized services for seniors instead of having them remain in the hospital. The teams would provide care that currently is only available as part of a hospital stay.
The teams will include doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, occupational and physical therapists, speech language pathologists and respiratory therapists.
The cost of the program is $2.5 million and will first begin through the Grace, Concordia and Victoria hospitals.
Sep. 28, 2011 at 9:22 am CDT in
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Jon Gerrard (CHRISD.CA FILE)
The Manitoba Liberals would work to create a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) registry if elected.
Leader Jon Gerrard announced Wednesday that his government would push to dedicate more resources to improve diagnosis, treatment and counselling of the disease.
“The NDP and Tories talk a big game about crime, but they don’t even know where to start,” Gerrard said. “The best tough on crime policy you can talk about is one that seriously deals with the affects of FASD.”
The $3.9 million investment into the FASD registry would work to protect the health of children, and ensure they are treated. The Liberals say if left untreated, many children often turn to a life of crime.
Sep. 28, 2011 at 9:14 am CDT in
News
Hugh McFadyen (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen promised Wednesday that his government would build a new personal care home in Dauphin, which would add 40 new PCH beds to the area.
The $10 million facility will assist in providing care for Manitoba’s aging population.
“Greg Selinger and the NDP have absolutely failed to heed to advice of experts when it comes to our aging population,” McFadyen said. “A new personal care home will provide improved service to the community of Dauphin and to families in the surrounding region.”
On Tuesday, the PCs announced their plan to add 30 more beds to care homes in the Interlake region.
Sep. 27, 2011 at 4:57 pm CDT in
News
Hugh McFadyen (CHRISD.CA FILE)
The Progressive Conservatives would spend $7.5 million to build 30 more personal care home beds in the Interlake region.
While in Eriksdale on Tuesday, party leader Hugh McFadyen said the beds would not only service that community, but Arborg and Ashern as well.
“Communities and families in the Interlake region have been dealing with this record of NDP neglect for years,” McFadyen said.
McFadyen criticized the ruling NDP, saying the government promised $200 million to build personal care home beds but had no plan for how the funding would be allocated.
A community organizer with the Lakeshore Hospital Guild was also present at the PC’s funding announcement.
Sep. 27, 2011 at 11:10 am CDT in
News
Mayor Sam Katz, flanked by city councillors Scott Fielding and Jeff Browaty, calls on the provincial candidates to invest more in infrastructure as part of their campaign pledges on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. (ANGÈLE FAUCHER PHOTO)
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz called on the provincial candidates Tuesday to make infrastructure spending a priority in the election.
Joined by the president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, Katz said the campaign promises so far neglect basic infrastructure investments.
“We’ve seen millions of dollars being promised for a variety of interests from those seeking office this election, but if you actually want to do something positive to improve the quality of life for our citizens, then step up and do what’s right and provide municipalities with a real funding source to address the priorities of the people who are electing you,” Katz said.
Speaking at the corner of St. James Street and Ellice Avenue, Katz and AMM president Doug Dobrowski highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements.
“What’s the point of investing more money into health care if ambulances can’t navigate our roads?,” Katz asked.
City Council asked the province earlier this year for one point of the existing provincial sales tax to help fund road repair. Municipalities were previously promised one percent, which would amount for $238 million in spending.
Sep. 27, 2011 at 10:52 am CDT in
News
Greg Selinger (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Premier Greg Selinger unveiled his plans for negotiating the next national health accord on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Fort Garry Hotel, the provincial NDP leader called for fighting for a minimum 10-year deal with stable funding increases, creating a national strategy to meet the needs of the growing number of seniors, pushing for federal support to acquire rapidly advancing health technology, and improving health care on First Nations.
The last 10-year health care accord was negotiated in 2004 and provided stable federal funding increases at a rate of six percent per year. The accord expires in 2014 and the federal government has only pledged to maintain funding levels for an additional two years.
Selinger criticized his main opponent, Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen, saying the PCs proposed cutting back health funding to the rate of economic growth, and creating two-tier health care by proposing to let private facilities charge patients for diagnostic services.
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