Today the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party of Manitoba announced that 2 candidates have met the necessary criteria, and have completed the application process to officially enter the party’s leadership race, which was triggered by the resignation of Brian Pallister. The winner of this leadership race will become the 24th Premier in the province’s history as well as the first female in the role. Applicants were required to submit an entry fee of $25,000 as well as sign-up at least 1,000 new or renewed PC party members. The candidates are:
Shelly Glover is a former City of Winnipeg police officer who served as the Member of Parliament for St. Boniface from 2008-2015. For the last two years of that period she served in cabinet as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. Her campaign slogan is “Integrity Honesty Compassion”. She trained as a healthcare aid to volunteer in care homes during the pandemic and has also announced she opposes COVID-19 vaccine mandates for frontline workers.
Heather Stefanson worked as an investment advisor and in the Prime Minister’s Office before first running and winning in a 2000 by-election to replace former PC Premier Gary Filmon in the Tuxedo constituency. Since then she has served as the MLA for Tuxedo, and after the 2016 provincial election has served in a variety of cabinet portfolios including Deputy Premier, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister of Families. On January 5, 2021 she was appointed Minister of Health and Seniors Care, she resigned from that role on August 18th of this year to launch her leadership bid. She has received endorsements from the vast majority of current MLA’s and cabinet ministers.
Over the next couple weeks the candidates will be focusing on signing up as many new party members as possible, prior to the deadline of September 30th. Individuals can purchase a membership after that date, however they won’t be eligible to vote in the leadership election.
The election will be conducted by mail-in ballot with the votes being counted on October 30th in Winnipeg.
With the next general election scheduled to occur in October 2023, the new Premier will have just under 2 years to get set as the PC Party looks to secure a 3rd consecutive majority government.
Related Link
- Official Party Statement – September 16, 2021
We’re Here to Help
If you have any questions please contact Michael, below.
Michael Juce – Managing Director Manitoba
Michael@prairieskystrategy.ca
204-764-0317
For more information about Prairie Sky Strategy, please visit our website.
