99 days and counting: NDP criticized as byelection wait continues
The seat in Spruce Woods has been open since March 24, when Tory MLA Grant Jackson resigned to run federally for the Conservatives in the Brandon-Souris riding.
'I think it is really irresponsible,' Khan said in an interview.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Manitoba Progressive Conservatives leader Obby Khan said it's irresponsible that the NDP government hasn't yet called a byelection in Spruce Woods, a Tory stronghold.
'I think it is really wrong that the premier is not calling a byelection so that the constituents of Spruce Woods can have a voice. As the premier, he is supposed to represent all Manitobans and it is clear he is playing political games in Spruce Woods and it is really, really sad to see the true colours of the premier come out.'
Khan pointed out that when former premier Heather Stefanson stepped down after the PCs lost the provincial election in 2023, Kinew called a byelection 43 days later and NDP MLA Carla Compton was elected. He said when the Transcona seat opened following the death of NDP MLA Nello Altomare, a byelection was called 63 days later and NDP candidate Shannon Corbett was victorious.
As of Tuesday, the Spruce Woods seat has been vacant for 99 days.
'He is blocking the people of Spruce Woods from having a voice,' Khan said.
'He needs to do the right thing here — call the byelection today.'
In a brief statement, cabinet spokesman Ryan Stelter said: 'the Spruce Woods byelection will be called in due course according to the normal timeline.'
Elections Manitoba spokesman Mike Ambrose said the Manitoba Elections Act stipulates a byelection must be held within 180 days of a seat becoming vacant.
He said because that date is Sept. 19 — a Friday — and both elections and byelections can only be held on Tuesdays, it means the latest an election can be held is Sept. 16.
As a result, Kinew doesn't have to call the byelection until Aug. 19 at the latest, Ambrose said, as it must be held within 28 to 34 days after the writ is dropped.
The spokesperson said Elections Manitoba is prepared for whenever the byelection is called and has already rented space for staff and polling stations.
University of Manitoba political studies Prof. Christopher Adams believes changes should be made to ensure byelections are called sooner.
'This is way too long,' Adams said.
'They should tighten it up. They tightened it up — with fixed elections — even though we've had premiers going against the spirit of the law by calling an election early. There should be shortening for byelections. These are the representatives of the constituents.'
Adams said having an open seat is more than just one fewer politician in the legislature.
'The constituency officers are like service centres for people and, without an MLA, there is no constituency office,' he said.
'It is irresponsible for the government to have a seat open for a long time.'
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Kelly Saunders, an associate political science professor at Brandon University, said she had hoped there would be a trickle down effect when Prime Minister Mark Carney said 'no games' and announced he would quickly call a byelection for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to run in. Carney announced Monday the byelection will be held on Aug. 18. Poilievre lost his Carleton, Ont. seat in the April federal election and will turn to an Alberta riding in an attempt to regain his seat.
'I really liked Mark Carney's approach, quite frankly,' Saunders said.
'The people expect to be represented. I'm not quite sure why the premier is dragging his feet on this — it doesn't look good. He didn't come in as 'sunny days' like Justin Trudeau did, but people thought there would be a different tone in government. I can understand Obby Khan's frustration.
'I think it just weakens the NDP brand a bit.'
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin RollasonReporter
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press's city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
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