Selinger says goodbye to Manitoba politics

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Selinger says goodbye to Manitoba politics

February 20, 2018
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March 7, 2018, is the day Greg Selinger has set to retire from politics and resign his seat in the Manitoba Legislature. The former premier was facing pressure from his party and leader Wab Kinew to resign after allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a former minister under Selinger came to light.

Selinger refused to resign last week but did offer an apology to the women who had been subjected to the alleged inappropriate touching by Stan Struthers.

[jaw_quote author=”Greg Selinger” ]The focus properly should have been on hearing their voices. It wasn’t, and I want to apologize for contributing to that.[/jaw_quote][jaw_clear]

Selinger has represented St. Boniface in the legislature since first being elected in 1999. He served as Finance Minister before becoming Premier in 2009 when Gary Doer stepped down.

Selinger announced his retirement at his constituency office on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. He said that the decision to resign came after he had the opportunity to talk to constituents and the constituency executive. He went on to say that although there had been pressure to resign he was leaving on his own initiative.

Selinger’s statement

A week ago I held a media availability to apologize to the women who were the victims of sexual harassment by one of our former MLAs — the member from Dauphin — during my time as premier and leader of the NDP. The focus properly should have been on hearing their voices. It wasn’t and I want to apologize for contributing to that.

Also a week ago I stated that I was interested in a transition strategy from being an elected member of the legislature back to being a citizen subject to meeting with the constituency executive. That has happened and today I can confirm that it is my plan to retire as the member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for St. Boniface. I want to thank the constituency executive for their support and advice. It has been a privilege and an honour to serve the citizens of St. Boniface and I wish to thank them for their encouragement to continue. I will cherish the experience forever.

To my family, your commitment, love, and views have made it all worthwhile. Over the next two weeks my staff and I will put the ongoing work of the constituents of St. Boniface in order. The formal resignation date will be March 7.