Manitoba NDP resolve to hold leadership race

Manitoba is one step closer to having a leadership race that could see its premier overthrown after the provincial NDP held an emergency executive meeting Saturday.

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Every media outlet in Winnipeg wascamped outside the office on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg Saturday waiting to hear what went on in the closed-door meeting, which began at 10 a.m. and lasted four hours.

Selinger emerged and officially announced the party will hold a leadership election at the NDP annual convention in March.

"The resolution was to follow the requirements of the existing constitution to have a leadership election," said Selinger.

A mutiny erupted in Manitoba three weeks ago, with several high profileNDPmembers calling for the premier's resignation. Thatprompteda series of discussions within the party regarding a potential leadership review.

Election ground rules groupformed

President Ellen Olfertsaidto ensure everything is fair, a group has been tasked with devising a set ofground rules for the leadership race.

Specifically, the group will determine when potential challengers can declare and whether contenderslike Premier Selingerwill be allowed to stay in cabinet during the race.

Olfert said the group was selected in an unbiased manner.

"It's very important in terms of if there are other candidates that declare their interest," said Olfert. "It can't be seen to be biased for one candidate or another,so what we drew on is people who had not declared for either side."

In the meantime, another group has been formed comprised of members closestto the premier to determine how to avoid having party in-fighting and dissensiongo public in the future.

"There's been some real concerns over the last couple of weeks over how things have unfolded,and we need to be able to re-engage ourselves," said Selinger.

2 outspoken NDP execs

Becky Barrett isone of two outspoken NDP executive members to first expose party inner turmoil three weeks ago.

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She said she came away feeling satisfied with the results of Saturday's meeting.

"We support what the president and the premier said and I think that pretty much says it all," said Barrett.

The planned leadership race still needs the support of a larger NDP governing body, which could happen when the party meets Dec. 6 for their provincial council meeting.

Pallister, PCs meet

Brian Pallister and the Progressive Conservatives also met Saturday.

The PCs convened for their annual general meeting in Winnipeg, using the occasion to share new party commercials that will air over the coming weeks.

Pallistersaid his party's ad campaign focuses on the positive and doesn't resort to attacks against the NDP.

Despite repeated calls for Premier Selinger's resignation, Pallister admitted his party isn't necessarily "election ready."

"I would say we've made excellent progress, and I would say we need to continue," said Pallister. "This is an ongoing dialoguean ongoing conversation with Manitobansand it doesn't end here."