Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, that he will not be seeking re-election.
Pallister made the announcement in Brandon following the Progressive Conservative Party Caucus meeting. He became the 22nd premier of the province in 2016 and was re-elected in 2019.
During his announcement, he said, “there is no better time” for him to step aside. “I believe that now is the time for a new leader and a premier to take our province forward.”
Pallister is about halfway through his second term as premier with the next general election slated for 2023.
“By stepping aside at the midpoint in our second mandate, I believe this will provide sufficient time not only for party members to choose a new leader, but for Manitobans to get to know that new leader and premier,” Pallister said.
Minutes after Pallister made the announcement he was stepping down the President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, Tom Wiebe, took to social media praising Pallister and noted they will begin the process of electing a new leader.
“In the coming days, I will convene a meeting of our party executive council to determine rules for a leadership election,” said Wiebe. “I would like to thank Premier Pallister for all he has done for Manitobans.”
Pallister did not respond to questions after making his statement.
© News4.ca 2021
