The NDP under Wab Kinew has won the Manitoba provincial election, and will be forming a majority government.
Late evening results showed the NDP leading or elected in 32 seats of the total of 57 seats up for grabs in the Manitoba election. A majority government requires 29 seats.
The Progressive Conservative Party was leading or elected in 24 seats, while the Liberals took one seat.
“A great victory for all of us in Manitoba,” Premier-designate Kinew told a cheering crowd in Winnipeg.
“I know the road will not be easy,” he said. “But if there’s one thing that the results of tonight show crystal clear, we can do amazing things when we stand together as one province.”
The NDP campaigned on improving health care, and Mr. Kinew said there is a lot of work to do.
“We are doing exciting things with health care here in Manitoba,” he said. “And so for all the people out there who work in health care, we need you. The nurses, the doctors, the health care professionals, the health care aides, we need you to work with us to build something special here, in the health care system in Manitoba.”
The NDP campaigned extensively on fixing Manitoba’s health care system, promising the largest recruitment campaign of health care workers in provincial history. The NDP aims to hire 400 more doctors, 300 more nurses, 200 more paramedics, and more home care workers, along with re-opening emergency rooms in three hospitals.
Mr. Kinew also used his speech to speak to those struggling with problems like addiction and unemployment.
“It has to be you to decide to move forward,” he said. “I can’t do that for you. A government can’t do that for you. You have to take the first step,” he said.
“But here’s what our government can do,” he added. “If you decide to take the first step and leave the addictions behind, our government will make sure that there is a path to recovery for you.”
“If you decide to go to work, our government will make sure that there is a training program with a good job at the end of it waiting for you.”
He also congratulated outgoing Premier Heather Stefanson, who announced earlier in the evening that she would be stepping down as leader of the PC Party.
“It has been the honor of my life serving the people of Manitoba,” said Ms. Stefanson in her concession speech. “And I thank all Manitobans from the bottom of my heart for giving me the privilege to serve as the first woman premier in this beautiful province of ours.”
She added that she views her government’s accomplishments with pride, such as a large personal tax cut, and record investments in health care and education during very difficult years.
“Mr. Kinew and I don’t always agree on everything, but like me, I know that he loves this province and he loves the people of Manitoba, and I wish him all the best and we'll make every effort and a smooth transition in the premiership,” she said.
While the NDP campaign focused on health care, both parties also crafted policies around making life more affordable, along with safer streets.
In 2022, for example, Winnipeg saw the largest rise in violent crime of any major centre in the country.
University of Winnipeg political studies professor Malcolm Bird told The Epoch Times that affordability, crime, and health care were the biggest election issues.
While the NDP won the popular vote in the city of Winnipeg, which contains 32 of the province’s 57 seats, the Progressive Conservatives won the popular vote in most of the rest of the province, with the exception of the far north.
When the election was called, the PC Party held 35 seats, the NDP had 18, and the Liberals had 3. One seat was vacant.
