Charting the political waters of Manitoba, Premier Heather Stefanson is setting course towards a hotly contested election Tuesday, aiming to secure a third Progressive Conservative majority. However, the journey could be fraught with challenges as recent opinion polls suggest she may face a formidable resistance to this political progression.
The Progressive Conservatives, under Stefanson’s administration, have faced a significant decline in their popular favorability amid the COVID-19 crisis, as the province grappled with a frightful shortage of hospital beds, necessitating the transfer of patients to other provinces. This, coupled with intense public backlash regarding a proposal to dissolve elected school boards—a venture spearheaded by Stefanson’s predecessor, Brian Pallister—also contributed to the party’s loss in standings.
Incumbent Premier Stefanson promptly axed the contentious plan upon succeeding Pallister, who retired two years prior. She has strived to steer the government towards more harmonious relations and ease the limits placed on public spending after a sustained period marked by stringent finance regulations.
Eminent political analyst, Paul Thomas, stated that Stefanson’s judicious leadership, characterized by her recent endeavours, has dispelled much of the resentment previously directed at the Progressive Conservative government. Though the dissent remains deeply ingrained in popular memory, the intensity has seemingly lessened, he mentioned.
The competition has stiffened with the NDP edging closer in the popularity trap with Wab Kinew spearheading the opposition party’s campaign for the second successive election. His victorious stride would mark him as Manitoba’s first indigenous premier. With healthcare strategic to its campaign, the NDP party has also emphasized pocketbook issues such as utility bills and electric vehicle subsidies.
Kinew has made headway with a moderate platform, punctuated with hallmark promises such as eschewing the defunding of police agencies, carving an appeal for the centrist voter bloc, Thomas remarked, thereby setting up a rumbling contest for the upcoming elections.
However, Kinew faces vehement criticism from the Tories, who accuse him of devising a hefty spending plan that could potentially escalate the tax demands and exacerbate the fiscal exchequer. Already, Manitoba has been tackling the weight of persistent deficits barring a marginal surplus in 2019.
Premiere Stefanson finds additional adversary in Liberal leader Dougald Lamont, who enters the political arena for a second successive time to engage in the electoral tussle. Despite the representation from three legislative seats, the liberals have witnessed a stagnant state in polls.
Emerging from the ashes of the pandemic frenzy, other issues have taken centre stage, with a persistent human resource deficit gnawing at the health sector while crime rates are on the rise. There is also national attention on the ongoing protest downtown, demanding a search of the landfill for the remains of native women.
Stefanson stands firm in her decision to reject the landfill search, citing possible impediments in the ongoing legal procedures and mentioning practical concerns regarding safety and efficacy of conducting the search. Meanwhile, both the New Democrats and Liberals remain steadfast in their promise to ensure a search is effected. Heather Stefanson’s stance on the matter has spurred calls for her resignation from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
