Legacy and experience on Manitoba’s PC ballot, says political science professor – Winnipeg

The battle to become Manitoba’s next premier will come down to political experience, according to Kelly Saunders, a political science professor at Brandon University.

Heather Stefanson has more than 20 years of experience in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly but played a crucial role in Brian Pallister’s government and Saunders says that could hold her back in the race. Shelly Glover served as a federal cabinet minister under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Saunders says Glover’s lack of provincial experience could be a liability.

Saunders says Stefanson’s time as Manitoba’s health minister during the pandemic could hold her back, not necessarily in the PC Party leadership election on Oct. 30, but could come back to haunt her in the provincial election in two years if elected prime minister.

“She has held a number of important positions, so if you are looking for someone who can step into the job from day one and do the very important job of being Premier and leading and guiding the province, then I think, without a doubt , that she has the really important and most recent experience to do this job.

By contrast, Saunders says Glover was not part of the caucus or this cabinet, so she can distinguish herself from the government and its legacy, and perhaps demonstrate that she is a different kind of leader.

“She’s untainted by that baggage and she can really take the party in a new direction,” Saunders said.

Still, that can also be a downside for Glover, adds Saunders.

“She doesn’t have the kind of experience and in-depth knowledge or skills to be able to go into the job on day one,” Saunders says. “It’s not like she doesn’t have cabinet experience, but the federal level doesn’t necessarily translate into the ability to be a competent premier of Manitoba and deal with files, issues and Manitoba concerns.

Stefanson faced heavy backlash for his actions during his tenure as health minister, particularly during Manitoba’s third wave, for failing to speak out against the words and actions of former premier Pallister.

“Many questions and concerns have been raised, not only about Mr. Pallister’s general character and leadership ability, but more specifically about his handling of the pandemic. So the fact that she was sitting there as Minister of Health under him and not speaking out or raising concerns about some of Mr Pallister’s actions, I think it’s a concern for many,” Saunders said.

Glover spent almost 19 years as a policeman and was the Member of Parliament for the riding of Saint-Boniface. During Question Period, NDP Leader Wab Kinew claimed that Glover’s camp had leaked information to his party in an effort to harm Stefanson’s campaign.

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Shelly Glover and Heather Stefanson will be two candidates for the leadership of the PC party

Glover denies that claim, saying Kinew is afraid of the prospect of facing either of the two women in the 2023 provincial election.

Manitoba’s PC party elects new leader Oct. 30.