The quirks of Selinger’s cabinet
A Clear View
Posted By Glen Hallick
Posted 2 months ago
There are some interesting quirks in Premier Greg Selinger's 19-member executive council (aka: cabinet).
The first is Bill Blaikie as the new Minister of Conservation and Government House Leader. For nearly 30 years as a New Democrat MP, Blaikie skewered cabinets ministers from the opposition benches in the House of Commons.
The next time he stands up during Question Period - in the Manitoba Legislature - he'll be the target of the Opposition's questions. It's different being the one answering the politically charged queries rather than asking them.
Then there is Andrew Swan, the new Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
His NDP leadership bid sputtered out about halfway through the race and he endorsed Selinger. For having been a junior cabinet minister, Swan showed a fair deal of gusto in trying to succeed Gary Doer.
Now a senior cabinet minister, his chances for next time (after all the new premier is 58-years-old) could greatly improve.
Just as well, they may quickly crumble should he severely stumble.
Point Man For 10 Years
Making way for Swan was Dave Chomiak, who for 10 years was Doer's point-man for health and then justice. Given a more junior portfolio, Chomiak, first elected in 1990, is rumored to be retiring come the next provincial election.
The biggest promotion was for Rosann Wowchuk who was Agriculture Minister for 10 years, with the title of deputy premier. Her appointment as Finance Minister marks the first time a Manitoba woman has been appointed to the all powerful cabinet portfolio.
While not every MLA can be in cabinet, there were 15 NDP backbenchers left out.
For 19 years Greg Dewar (Selkirk) has sat in the backbenches and not since Howard Pawley was premier has Selkirk been represented at the cabinet table.
One-time education minister Drew Caldwell (Brandon East) still remains out of the executive council, thus leaving the Wheat City without a cabinet voice as well.
The NDP's star candidate in 2007 was former T.V. news anchor Erin Selby (Southdale) was again left out of cabinet despite a flurry of rumours to the contrary.
And there at least several other long serving MLAs still stuck in the backbenches.
Overall, if there is a message to be dervied from Selinger's cabinet it's maintaining the don't-rock-the-boat/steady-as-she-goes mentality of former premier Gary Doer.
