Selinger should step down for leadership race, says NDP council member
Curtis Nordman to table motion asking premier to take leave during race
On a day when Premier Greg Selinger delivered his state of the province address, a long-time NDP member issued a call for the leader to step down.
Curtis Nordman, a card-carrying NDP member of 45 years and current council member, said Thursday he plans to table a motion at the party's provincial cabinet council meeting Dec. 6 asking cabinet members running in the upcoming leadership race to take a leave of absence.
Nordman is disappointed Selinger plans to stay on as premier during the leadership race.
"I think the stand that he's taking is being perceived in a negative way by the public," said Nordman.
Although Nordman admitted remaining in his capacity as premier while running for leadership may be legal, he feels the "moral" thing to do would be for Selinger to step down.
"It really is an exercise in moral suasion, if I could put it that way."
Party dynamics
Nordman said he's also concerned about how Selinger not taking a leave could impact party dynamics.
"What if one of your cabinet colleagues decides to support someone else, how does that impact the dynamic of cabinet?"
Former NDP staffer Ben Wickstrom agrees.
Wickstrom, a Wolseley New Democrat, sent emails about his concerns to his MLA, council reps, and riding association president.
"I think we have to hold ourselves as a party and as a government to a higher standard — that means creating a fair race," he said.
Nordman said he has run the idea of his motion past other party faithful and believes he has support.
Manitoba's constitution lacks adequate directions for how to handle the case of the premier running for leadership while still in power, Nordman said.
"Our constitution is woefully inadequate to deal with the leadership question," said Nordman, adding he thinks Selinger should "do the right thing" and step down.
Nordman's motion:
While recognizing that there are no legal provisions requiring candidates for the leadership of the Manitoba New Democratic Party to stand down from positions of authority while contesting the leadership, Council urges all candidates to take a leave of absence from such positions while pursuing the leadership. Council reminds all candidates of the historic commitment to fairness that is a foundation of the New Democratic Party and the long standing tradition of guaranteeing a level playing field for leadership conventions. We urge all candidates to respect the spirit of our political heritage.
Nordman believes the constitution, including parts dealing with annual leadership reviews, should be rewritten and presented at a Manitoba Government convention in the spring of 2015.
On Nov. 3, five Manitoba ministers resigned from their cabinet posts citing "turmoil" and "grave concerns" about not being able to speak freely in government, prompting the impending leadership race.
State of the province
The premier's state of the province address took place at around 12:45 p.m. Thursday.
He told a group of business leaders at the address that despite the fact it has "been a tumultuous time in provincial politics" lately, his party has stayed "laser focused" on the economy.
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said the turmoil was so severe that Thursday's speech wasn't enough to inspire confidence in an already anxious business community.
"It does not send a very positive signal to businesses and investors outside of Manitoba in terms of Manitoba as a place to do business," said Dave Angus, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
Selinger also apologized again for "blindsiding" Manitobans with 2013's PST increase.
The Manitoba government meets on Saturday for its annual Provincial Council meeting.
Read a draft of Nordman's resolution below.