Tories all set to name new leader

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This article was published 26/04/2025 (334 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — Sixteen months after Heather Stefanson stepped down, the Progressive Conservatives are set to announce their new leader this weekend.

Either Fort Whyte MLA Obby Khan or Churchill lodge owner Wally Daudrich will replace interim leader Wayne Ewasko when the decision is announced at a downtown hotel today.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba has taken pains to ensure the results of this leadership vote don’t end up with any “irregularities” as candidate Shelly Glover claimed in 2021 after narrowly losing to former Tuxedo MLA Stefanson and unsuccessfully challenging the outcome.

Brandon University political science Prof. Kelly Saunders said she would be “flabbergasted” if Daudrich won.

“When you’re in a bit of a crisis situation — we’re worried about tariffs and threats from the United States — it’s not a time for risk. You want to go with safety and security and stability. Even if some people might like a little bit of his messaging, he’s coming across as a little bit too risky for the times,” Saunders said.

“Some of his quips about polar bears and homeless people and some of his views on same-sex marriage, reproductive rights — I think the polling shows most Manitobans are pretty moderate on those kinds of issues,” she said.

Daudrich has said he is anti-abortion and opposed the NDP government’s decision to provide free prescription birth control.

A major indicator, she said, was Tory MLA Kathleen Cook speaking out in the chamber condemning Daudrich’s comments. “He doesn’t stand for me,” Cook told the chamber.

“You have a really well-respected MLA that I think a lot of people look to as maybe a potential leadership candidate down the road. If she’s saying, ‘I don’t like this guy,’ I think that members of the party would probably pause and listen to that,” Saunders said.

Daudrich can’t be ruled out, said University of Manitoba adjunct political studies Prof. Christopher Adams.

“I think if Wally Daudrich is made leader — and I think there’s a possibility because we don’t have any data on this — it will bring the party back to its real Tory roots,” he said.

“Everybody’s assuming Obby Khan’s going to win this thing hands down. I understand he’s only got half his caucus endorsing him publicly, so I don’t think it’s a slam dunk,” said Adams.

He pointed to Stefanson having the full support of the PC caucus but winning the leadership by 363 votes, just 51 per cent of ballots cast in the race to replace former premier Brian Pallister.

“The Progressive Conservatives are at a crossroads right now,” Adams said.

Daudrich, a social conservative who says it’s time for the party to drop the “progressive” from its name, said he has the support of the base, and it is “very motivated.”

Nearly 11,000 PC party memberships were sold or renewed in time to cast a ballot for leader, he said.

“We surprisingly got good sales in all parts of the city, as well as the rural areas,” said the northern businessman, who also has a home in Morden.

“This isn’t in the bag, but I think it’s going to be close.”

Daudrich, who does not have a seat in the Manitoba legislature, said he has a plan to lead “that can be executed immediately.”

“The team I’m putting together has 200 years of experience in running government and running caucus.”

That team includes former MP Dorothy Dobbie and Ken Lee, who has served on the party executive and was rejected as a PC leadership candidate in 2021.

Daudrich expects to run for the PCs in Spruce Woods, a safe Tory seat vacated last month by Grant Jackson, who is running for the federal Conservatives in Brandon-Souris. A byelection for Spruce Woods must be called by Sept. 24.

In question period, Premier Wab Kinew has referred to Daudrich as the “excitement” candidate and Khan as “the establishment candidate.”

“The premier will say whatever he wants to say to try to get a reaction out of people,” said Khan.

Khan said his goal as leader is to bring more people together.

“I said from day one I set out to build a big-tent party. I believe we have really done that in this campaign. We stayed optimistic, positive throughout the whole thing, building, bringing people together.”

Manitoba’s first Muslim MLA recalled riding a combine in Niverville and attending a goose shoot in Inwood as he campaigned across the province.

“I think you will see a very different Progressive Conservative party on Saturday,” said Khan. “I think you’ll see a party that’s reflective of the entire province, which is exactly what I set out to do and I’m very happy with that.”

Whoever wins has the important job of the holding Kinew’s NDP government to account, Adams said.

“If you don’t have an effective opposition, the government will be let off the hook for a lot of things,” he said. “Who the leader is will really help determine the quality of the opposition in the assembly as well as the quality of the opposition outside of the assembly, in dealing with the media, in talking to voters and other people,” Adams said.

It helps if the leader has a seat in the legislature, but it’s not a requirement, U of M political studies professor emeritus Paul Thomas said.

Daudrich could co-ordinate question period strategy and tactics by leading the PC caucus and take part in media scrums, Thomas said.

“None of this is ideal from the standpoint of putting the government on the defensive, but it can help to create the appearance of an alternative government in waiting.”

Stefanson stepped down in January 2024. The winner will be announced at 5 p.m.

» Winnipeg Free Press