Manitoba has a new premier and may soon have a new agriculture minister, according to political watchers in the province.
Greg Selinger was sworn in as Manitoba’s premier Oct. 19 after defeating his only rival, Steve Ashton, in the NDP leadership vote held Oct. 17.
The former finance minister won the vote easily, defeating Ashton by a two to one margin. Selinger replaces Gary Doer, who is now Canada’s ambassador in Washington.
Immediately after the victory speculation began regarding who would replace Selinger as finance minister.
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Although no one wanted to go on record, several sources told The Western Producer that Rosann Wowchuk, Manitoba’s agriculture minister, would take over the finance portfolio.
Wowchuk, who represents the Swan River area, has been agriculture minister since 1999. For the last month she has served as interim finance minister, after Selinger declared he would run for the NDP leadership.
Jared Wesley, an assistant professor in political science at the University of Manitoba, said if Wowchuk was to move to a new portfolio, it would be hard to replace her because the NDP has few rural MLAs.
“I don’t know who they would move in (to agriculture),” said Wesley, who expected Selinger to announce his new cabinet next week. “They’ll get the transition sorted out first and then they’ll talk about cabinet positions later.”
Ian Wishart, president of the Keystone Agricultural Producers, said he looks forward to working with the new premier.
“We’ve met with him as finance minister and talked a number of issues with him. We had a really good working relationship with him,” Wishart said, adding that KAP has already sent a letter to Selinger, requesting a meeting.
One issue on the table will be the proposed harmonized sales tax, which could be beneficial for Manitoba’s farmers, Wishart said.
