Spruce Woods byelection called for August 26
Kinew and two cabinet ministers appeared in Glenboro to promote road and bridge work that is part of the province's long-term infrastructure plan.
The town is in the Spruce Woods constituency, where the byelection must be held to fill the seat vacated by Progressive Conservative Grant Jackson in March.
Ray Berthelette (Matt Goerzen / The Brandon Sun)
Kinew and his NDP cabinet ministers have made a series of announcements in and around the constituency in recent weeks.
Political science professor Kelly Saunders at Brandon University says a NDP win in the rural seat would be a huge symbolic win for the party, because rural seats in southwest Manitoba have been Tory strongholds.
Kinew said Thursday he is confident the party's candidate, Ray Berthelette, can bring Spruce Woods into the NDP fold, at a news conference to unveil the candidate.
Colleen Robbins from Souris is the Tory candidate, while the Liberals have selected Brandon teacher Stephen Reid.
The government news release said the chief electoral officer will issue information in the upcoming days that will indicate polling times, locations and the dates, and locations of advance polls.
Colleen Robbins (Supplied)
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There are 57 seats in the legislature; 34 are held by the governing New Democrats; 20 by the Progressive Conservatives; one independent Liberal; one independent member and the vacant Spruce Woods seat.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
Stephen Reid (Supplied)
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Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account During Justin Trudeau's Liberal government from 2015 to 2024, the federal bureaucracy grew in size by 43%, from 257,034 employees to 367,772, an increase of 110,738. That far outstrips the 15% increase in Canada's population between 2015 (35,606,734) and 2024 (41,012,563). The 43% growth rate of the federal public service also outpaced the 18.5% real growth rate of the economy, the 15.5% growth in total employment and the 25.5% growth of employment across the entire public sector, counting all orders of government. 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CBC
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Spruce Woods byelection set for Aug. 26
A date has been set for the byelection in Spruce Woods. The byelection in the southwestern Manitoba constituency will be held on Aug. 26, the government announced Friday evening. The news comes a day after the governing New Democrats nominated real estate agent Ray Berthelette to represent them in the longtime Progressive Conservative stronghold. The PCs' Grant Jackson resigned from the seat to run for federal office. Spruce Woods has been without an MLA in the legislature since March 24. Manitoba's Official Opposition previously accused the NDP of dragging its feet in calling the byelection, which under provincial law had to happen by Sept. 16. The election will be held 155 days after Jackson's resignation. Longtime Tory volunteer Colleen Robbins will be representing the party in the election, with teacher Stephen Reid running for the Liberals. Elections Manitoba said in a release advance voting will begin on Aug. 16. More information, including polling locations, can be found on its website.
