Campaigns heat up as week one comes to a close
As Manitoba moves into the first weekend of the campaign, no apparent frontrunner has emerged. Both the PCs and the NDP are laser focused on suburban Winnipeg where the election will likely be determined.
Analysis
Observers have noted Stefanson has been absent from many of the party’s major announcements. An Angus Reid poll from June 2023 found that the Leader had an approval amongst Manitobans of 25%, which was actually an improvement from previous polling done in 2022. Her notable absence is likely deliberate campaign strategy—a similar move proved successful for Premier Danielle Smith and the Alberta United Conservative Party in Alberta’s recent election.
Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew, who is viewed more favourably by voters, hopes to leverage Stefanson’s low approvals. A recent focus group of swing riding voters consistently had a negative view of Heather Stefanson describing her as self- serving, entitled, and elitist. In an NDP campaign announcement about recruitment funding for nurse practitioners, Wab Kinew alleged that some public service administrators were installed to do political bidding on behalf of the PCs. This speaks directly to voters’ concerns. The Manitoba Liberals’ platform set aside an initial amount of $42 million to support the search of Prairie Green Landfill where the remains of two Indigenous women are believed to be. Stefanson received broad criticism for her refusal to provide resources to facilitate a search, with Amnesty International calling this decision “indefensible” and “appalling”.
Participants had a significantly warmer perception of Wab Kinew, describing the NDP Leader as passionate, gracious, and charismatic. However, participants felt uneasy about Kinew’s lack of tested political experience. In a recent press conference, PC candidate Carrie Heibert zeroed in on these anxieties by pointing to the contradictions between some proposed NDP policies and positions held in the past. The Manitoba PCs announced that they will provide complete platform costing at the end of each week during the campaign.
Campaign Announcements
NDP
UCP
Liberals
In the News
- CBC News- Pimicikamak Cree Nation worries it won’t have enough staff to run new health centre
- Global News- Manitoba Nurses Union endorses NDP health plan ahead of election
- Winnipeg Sun- Some of the races to keep an eye on in Manitoba’s provincial election
- Toronto Star- Where the leaders are in the Manitoba election campaign