Heather Stefanson will run for leadership of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party
Tuxedo MLA says she'll scrap controversial education legislation Bill 64 if chosen to replace Brian Pallister
Heather Stefanson will run to become the next leader of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party.
The MLA for Tuxedo announced her resignation from her duties as Manitoba's health minister on Wednesday and her intention to campaign to succeed Premier Brian Pallister as the party's leader.
"Over the last 18 months, I've heard from countless Manitobans who are looking for a different approach," Stefanson said Wednesday at Waverley Heights Community Centre in south Winnipeg, surrounded by almost two dozen PC MLAs, including cabinet ministers Cliff Cullen, Cameron Friesen, Sarah Guillemard, Jon Reyes, Ron Schuler and Reg Helwer.
"They're looking for someone who can heal our divisions and bring Manitobans together around a common vision that puts our families, our communities and our small businesses first."
Stefanson promised as party leader, she would do away Bill 64, the controversial kindergarten to Grade 12 reform legislation that would see locally elected school boards dissolved in favour of a central education authority.
"Bill 64 will be done" if she becomes leader, she said, adding that a number of caucus members who were in attendance at her news conference have discussed scrapping the bill.
"We're not hearing very good things [about this bill], and I think it's time we start listening to Manitobans."
Cullen, the education minister, stood behind Stefanson when she made the announcement, but declined comment.
Stefanson also said she will run on a campaign of strengthening the health-care system and job creation, and with a focus on reconciliation and economic opportunities for Indigenous people.
Pallister announced earlier this month he intends to step down before the next election in 2023, but did not give a firm timeline on when he plans to do so.
Audrey Gordon, Manitoba's minister for mental health, wellness and recovery, will also take on the duties of health minister, the province announced Wednesday.
Other possible contenders
Stefanson is the first person to officially declare a PC leadership run, but she could face a number of competitors in the race.
Last week, Winnipeg city council finance chair Scott Gillingham (St. James) confirmed he is considering a run to succeed Pallister.
"I welcome Minister Stefanson to the race and look forward to the community enthusiasm, broadening and renewal that only a robust contest and new leadership will bring," Gillingham said in an emailed statement to CBC News on Wednesday.
Families Minister Rochelle Squires also said last week she is considering a run.
Finance Minister Scott Fielding and former Conservative MP Shelly Glover have also said they are considering leadership runs.
"I wish her the best of luck," Glover said in an emailed statement on Wednesday, though her statement went on to list a number of promises she hopes Stefanson will make, including promising "no more economic lockdowns" and to "address resource shortages in … [long-term care and personal care home] facilities."
Glover also called on Stefanson to "apologize for her silence on the insensitive and egregious colonialism comments and residential school comments made recently by others in the caucus."
Earlier this month, Pallister said he was sorry for the misunderstanding caused by comments he made after statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth were toppled at the legislature on Canada Day. The premier said on July 7 that settlers in Canada "didn't come here to destroy anything, they came here to build."
Following that, newly appointed Indigenous Reconciliation Minister Alan Lagimodiere also drew criticism for comments that suggested those who ran residential schools Indigenous students were forced to attend believed "they were doing the right thing."
Lagimodiere later apologized for those comments and said he believes the schools were were part of a genocide.
When asked Wednesday why she hadn't spoken publicly about Pallister's comments, Stefanson said she's been having conversations on the issue.
"Certainly not everything is done in the public in front of the media, and what I will say is that residential schools, what happened is absolutely horrific," she said, adding that her voice has been heard behind the scenes.
In an email, Stefanson's campaign said her leadership bid has the support of 24 MLAs in the 36-member PC caucus, including the cabinet members who joined her at Wednesday's announcement.
'There is no change here': Kinew
That show of support demonstrates to Opposition Leader Wab Kinew that Stefanson could provide more of the same sort of leadership the current premier is providing.
"We saw the team surrounding her is exactly the same team that Pallister assembled," Kinew said.
"There is no change here. This is exactly what Manitobans hated about Mr. Pallister's approach — the health-care cuts, the bad outcomes during COVID — for Round 2."
The NDP leader said the PC caucus is distancing itself from Bill 64 now because it's "convenient" during a leadership race.
Mary Agnes Welch, a partner at Probe Research, said Stefanson did a number of things right announcing her bid for leadership, including distancing herself from Pallister.
Stefanson's logo, with the words "Heather Together," and her messaging of listening, being more open and inclusive are "in direct contrast with the current premier," Welch said.
Even the array of MLAs — both rural and urban representatives — standing behind Stefanson was a smart strategy that could deter other would-be candidates, she said.
Whoever is elected to lead the party will have a tough road ahead of them, Welch said.
"I think digging out of the hole that the premier has created for the party will be really tough. It's not insurmountable, though," she said.
"Somebody has two whole years to rethink things [and] get to know Manitobans."
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With files from Bartley Kives