Greg Selinger to stay on as premier during leadership race

NDP provincial council members have voted againsta motion that called on Greg Selingerto step down as Manitoba's premier if a leadership racetakes place next spring.

Council members defeated the motion during a closed-door meetingon Saturday.

Charleswoodprovincial council representative CurtisNordmanhad put forththe motion,which saidSelinger or any cabinet minister who enters the leadership contest must step down during the race.

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"Legal opinion is just that, a legal opinion. It does not speak to the morality of what's going on," said a representative speaking for the motion at Saturday's meeting.

So much of the meeting was audible from outside the roomthatparty members were eventually placed nearthe glass doorto bar reporters from listening in.

Selinger's supporters speak out

Paul Moist, the national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees,and JamesAllum, who replaced Andrew Swan as justice minister,took to the media to battle against the motion earlier this week.

"Frankly, it's very, very unfair,"Allumsaid of the motion on Friday.

On Saturday, St. Norbert NDP MLA Dave Gaudreau says it doesn't make sense for the premier to take a leave of absence every time his leadership is questioned.

"Having the leader having to step down every time somebody challenges him would just be so ineffective for running a province," he said.

"Imagine every year, for nine months of the year, you would have a premier, and for three months of the year that premier would have to step down. How effective would that be for Manitoba? I think that was a bad idea."

As forNordman, he told reporters that he was disappointed with the outcome of the vote.

"I think we missed an opportunity to be more transparent," he said.

Statement from Selinger

GregSelinger, speaking as ManitobaNDP leader, issued the following statement after the meeting on Saturday:

"I'm pleased that the members at our Provincial Council today democratically adopted rules and guidelines that govern the business of our convention, including any potential leadership challenge under our party constitution. Recommendations were adopted that ensure supporters of any potential candidate are treated with respect under our anti-harassment language. The decisions today allow our government to continue to work for the priorities of Manitobans."

Rebel MLAs Jennifer Howard andSwan were at themeeting, along withprovincial council members and most of the NDP caucus.

Howard and Swan greeted council members with a letter defending their actions and asking the NDP to work together for a fair leadership contest.

Swan latertold reporters he still thinks Selinger should step asideduring the race.

"I think it's quite clear to most Manitobans that the right thing to do is to step down," Swan said. "I still expect the premier and any cabinet minister who wants to run should do that."

Letter from rebel MLAs

December 6, 2014

Dear Fellow New Democrats

Over the last few weeks we have had a chance to speak with many of you about the reasons some of us resigned our cabinet positions, and others spoke publicly about the need for a leadership change in our Party. Some of these conversations have been difficult, as we listened to you express your anger, sadness and surprise that internal discussions had been made public. Many of you have also expressed your support for us and your appreciation that we had taken the risk of being honest. Even when we have disagreed, all of these discussions have been respectful and none of us have questioned each others principles or dedication to our Party and its values.

Together, we have debated ideas and policies where we passionately disagree. We have supported different candidates in nomination fights and leadership contests and always came together to fight the next battle. Our Party is proud of our commitment to democracy - a commitment that includes the ability to openly disagree even with the Leader without fear of having your integrity attacked.

It is important to us that you know that we had frank discussions about our concerns with our Leader and sought a resolution long before any of this became public. Much has been reported about what motivated us to take the actions that we have taken. We want you to know the truth - our overwhelming motivation is the pain and suffering that Manitobans will experience if we dont do everything in our power to avoid handing the next election to Brian Pallister and the Conservatives.

When we were elected, we knew that our job was to act in the interests of all Manitobans but especially those families with the least. We are proud of our governments accomplishments and committed to its vision for the future - which is why we voted for the Throne Speech. We believe Premier Selinger deserves full credit for the progress weve made together in making education more accessible; in rebuilding our health care system and in making Manitoba a more fair society.

We know that we will lose everything we have worked for together if we do not win the next election. And we know that those who will be most hurt will be Manitobans who seldom have a voice. We believe that our best chance to keep building the kind of Manitoba we all want to live in is with a new Leader. And we believe that the NDP should be the kind of political party where we can have that debate openly, honestly and fearlessly.

We believe that Premier Selinger has shown his commitment to that kind of open debate by publicly calling for a leadership contest. We trust you the members of Provincial Council to ensure such a contest is fair. We believe that only a fair leadership contest will allow us all to unite behind the Leader and take on the challenge of beating Brian Pallister and the Conservatives in the next election.

We need to keep talking. Even when we disagree. Even when we feel hurt by each others public comments. We cannot let a disagreement over leadership turn into a war that will destroy our movement and hamper our ability to form a government that Manitobans trust to have their best interests at heart. We have come too far together - and know each others commitment to our Party too well to become distracted by those who would try to make us enemies of each other.

We have an opportunity over the next few months to show our fellow Manitobans and Canadians what democracy can be. We can rise above the bullying tactics and name-calling that have become the sad hallmarks of politics as usual in other political parties. We can have a respectful debate about the best way forward for our Party and emerge stronger, united and ready once again to fight for those Manitobans who so desperately need the hope for which New Democrats stand.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Howard, MLA Fort Rouge

Theresa Oswald, MLA Seine River

Clarence Pettersen, MLA Flin Flon

Erin Selby, MLA Southdale

Stan Struthers, MLA- - Dauphin

Andrew Swan, MLA - Minto

Council agrees on 18 rules

In all, the NDP provincial council agreed on18 rules for a leadership contest, which would take place if anyone challenges Selinger at the party's annual convention set for March 6-8, 2015, in Winnipeg.

"These rules will serve as a framework for an open and fair process should there be a leadership election at our annual convention," party president Ellen Olfert said in a statement Saturday afternoon.

"They focus on timelines and specific guidelines around memberships, nominations, and governance."

Anyone who wants to run for NDP leader would have to agree not to spend any public money for party-related or leadership purposes, according to the council.

You can read a party backgrounder on the recommendations below.

• ON MOBILE? View the document here.