More Manitoba cabinet ministers suggest Greg Selinger step aside

More high-profile Manitoba cabinet ministers are calling on Premier Greg Selinger to consider resigning, but he responded by saying he will not step down.

Selinger made the remarks at a news conference held Tuesday afternoon.

• Greg Selinger says he'll stay on as Manitoba premier

Among those who suggested thatSelinger look at resigning isJustice Minister Andrew Swan, who said the premiermust seriously consider his future for the sake of the party.

The NDP would have a tough road going into the next election with him at the helm as there is a lot of evidence Manitobans are unhappy with him, Swan said earlier on Tuesday.

"It's become increasingly clear that it's overshadowing our ability to speak about all the good things the NDP has doneover the last 15 years," Swan said.

"I'm very worried that if things remain as they are the next election will be a referendum on Greg Selinger."

Health MinisterErin Selby andMinisterof Jobs and the Economy Theresa Oswald also added their concerns on Tuesday about the party's downwarddirection.

"This is worrisome. People are angry, they feel the premier broke their trust and he hasn't been able to mend that," said Selby.

"I think that he has a lot to think about butI think he'll do the right thing."

As the party dissension grows, Selinger appeared tobe avoiding any spotlights.He was originally slated to attend the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba's 50th anniversary event at the convention centre on Monday night but was a no-show.

Then, he cancelled a cabinet meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday morning.

• Premier Selinger should reflect on polls, says cabinet minister

The public is also weighing in on the party's upheaval in the wake of comments by prominentNDPmembers on Monday thatSelingershould consider stepping down.

"I think that he's left people wondering on a lot of issues and perhaps, you know, they're questioning his honesty, saidJudy Bell, one of a handful of people CBCNews spoke to on the streets in Winnipeg.

The common feeling is thatSelinger'sflip-flop on the provincial sales tax hike will be his undoing.

Bell, who hasnt made up her mind if she'll voteNDPin the next election, said the premier has done some good things for the provincebut the PST hikeisn'tgood for his reputation.

Jim Stewart agreed, saying,"I think it probably hurt him a lot.I dont think he has as much support as he used to haveand that would worry me.

On Monday, Becky Barrett, a vice president with theNDPexecutive, saidSelinger'sdecision to raise the PST from seven to eight per cent last year, despite promising in the 2011 election campaign that he wouldn't do so, has many peoplequestioning his leadership.

That was echoed on Tuesday by Swan.

"The skip of a curling team takes the heat for a loss. The premier takes heat for a poorly reasoned PST increase," he said.

Along with Swan, both Barrett and StanStruthers, the minister of municipal government, said Selingermust evaluate his future as party leader and do what's best for Manitobans.

"I believe the premier will take a look at all of that and he'll make a determination. He'll reflect on all the information that he has, and I think he does have a decision to make," Struthers said on Monday.

Recent polls have put Selinger's support at all-time low.

"I'm speaking out because I think it's critically important that things change," Barrett said.