Manitoba Green Party fails to gain seat in legislature, losing Wolseley riding

The Green Party of Manitoba has failed to capitalize on the gains of Greens across the country, ending the provincial election with no seats in the Manitoba Legislature.

The party'smain hope was the Winnipeg riding of Wolseley, where candidate David Nickarz came in second place in the 2016 election, less than 400 votes behind the NDP.

But Nickarz lost to NDP rival Lisa Naylorthis time, by more than 900 votes.

"We did the best we possibly could in this riding," he said. "We know it wasn't a victory but we still got out there and got things done. This is a great stepping stone to the next election."

Nickarz walked away from election night capturing 36 per cent of the vote, with Naylor taking 46 per cent.

He said he's unsure if he'll run again, but he plans to help with the Greens'federal campaign.

"Maybe next time it will go better. Maybe I'm the candidate for next timeand maybe not. I've really got to consult with my partyand my family,and see if it's the right move for me," he said. "But already we have a lot of people joining the party and making it better."

The Wolseley riding wasredrawn for the 2019 election, which may have made it harder forthe Greens to win. Based on thenew boundaries, Nickarz would have lost the 2016 election by more than1,200 votes.

The NDP have held the riding since 1990, with NDP MLA Rob Altemeyer, who had been in the job since 2003, announcing in 2018 that he would not seek re-election.

This provincialelection saw the Manitoba Greens run 43 candidates, more than ever before. Greens have won seats in provincial elections in Ontario, British Columbia andNew Brunswick, and now formthe official opposition on P.E.I.

The Green Party headed into the election day polling at sevenper cent support, down from the 11 per cent support they enjoyed in August.

'Growing pains'

Green Party Leader James Beddome pitched himself and the Greens as an alternative to the status quo.

"It wasn't our night," Beddome said following the results. "We were obviously hoping to break through.

"We ran a super strong campaign,I think we impressed the public I think we gained more credibility," he said, adding that the partyspent more money on the campaign than ever before.

"I don't really see these as failures. This is just, maybe, growing pains," he said.

"It's just a matter of time.I'm tenacious and dogged and so is the party. We're going to continue on until we're successful."

Beddome finishedthird in his ridingof Fort Rouge, a seat that was won byNDP Leader Wab Kinew.

Beddome said he will now focus his efforts on running in the federal election. In the past, he had mused about letting Nickarz take over the provincial leadership of the party if he won for Wolseley.

"I'll still be here as the head of the Manitoba Greens as long as the membership still wants me," Beddomesaid after polls closed Tuesday.

The Greens campaigned on a greener economy, promising to raisethe carbon tax, bansingle-use plasticsandreduce the province's waste by funding municipal compost programs. The Greens also touteda guaranteed basic income, expanded funding for transitand morechild-care spaces.

'We're just getting started' : Green leader James Beddome

5 years ago

Duration 1:41

Manitoba Green Party fails to gain seat in legislature, losing Wolseley riding.