Politics of Manitoba

Centred on the area of Fort Garry, or present-day Winnipeg, the initial geography of Manitoba was much smaller—roughly 1,400,000 acres (5,700 km²) of land were set aside for the Métis upon the Manitoba Act's passing.^[11] (Cf. Manitoba's total area today: 160,610,000 acres or 650,000 km².)^[18] The small population and size of the province made it unable to support itself financially. The federal government agreed to pay subsidies to the province, as well as grant it four seats in the federal Parliament.^[11]

Political parties

Historically, political parties first appeared between 1878 and 1883, with a two-party system: Liberals and Conservative.^[19]

The United Farmers of Manitoba appeared in 1922, and later merged with the Liberals in 1932 to form the dominant political party.^[19] Other parties, including the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), appeared during the Great Depression.^[19]

In the 1950s, Manitoban politics became a three-party system, and the Liberal party gradually declined in power.^[19] The CCF became the New Democratic Party (NDP), which came to power in 1969.^[19] Since then, the Conservatives, now the Progressive Conservative Party (PC), and the NDP have been the dominant parties.^[19]

Provincial elections

The Elections Act
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
Citation	C.C.S.M. c. E30
Territorial extent	Manitoba
Enacted by	4th Session, 38th Legislature
Assented to	13 June 2006
Amended by
SM 2019, c. 22
Related legislation
The Election Financing Act The Electoral Divisions Act The Legislative Assembly Act
Status: Current legislation

In Manitoba, general elections to the Legislative Assembly are typically held every five years; however, the Lieutenant Governor is able to call one at any time. The last general election of Manitoba was held on 3 October 2023, four years after the one held on 10 September 2019.

These provincial elections are regulated by

As of 2001, the CEO would also have the authority to appoint Returning Officers, which was originally a political appointment by Cabinet. Prior to 2001, in the case of a tie vote, the Returning Officer would be the one to cast the deciding ballot. Tie votes are now resolved through a by-election.

History of electoral system

In 1870, only males who were established members of the community and in good financial standing, could vote. At that time, voting took place at public constituency meetings, in which each voter would publicly declare his preference. There, the electoral officer would record the votes, and the simple plurality (i.e.,

In 1916, Manitoba would become the first Canadian province to grant women the right to vote.^[20]

A new system of representation would not be introduced until 1917, when Winnipeg was divided into there constituencies, each represented by two members. Voters in each constituency were issued two ballots, one for each seat, and neither candidate could be listed on both ballots. The rural constituencies, meanwhile, retained the plain FPTP system.

Winnipeg was again the center of innovation for Manitoba's electoral system with the introduction of Single transferable vote, a proportional representation voting system, in 1920. This was the first time a PR system was used in a provincial election in Canada. In this system, the city was consolidated into a single constituency electing ten members; and voters cast one vote. Preferential votes were used to allow voters to mark back-up preferences. Voters had the right to indicate their preferences by numbering the candidates' names on the ballot paper (i.e., 1, 2, 3, etc.). The votes was counted using a method of counting provided via amendments to The Elections Act.

In 1924, the FPTP system in districts outside Winnipeg was replaced by

Manitoba was the first province in Canada with an independent boundaries commission in 1957, when the Electoral Divisions Boundaries Commission is formed. The Commission would include three members until 2006, when the number was increased to five and the presidents of Brandon University and University College of the North were added.^[20]

The voting age was lowered in 1969 from 21 to 18.^[20]

In 1980, the Elections Finances Act (EFA) was proclaimed in Manitoba,

In 1998, penalties for election offences were increased. Though spending limits for advertising were also eliminated that year, they would be reinstated in 2001. Five years later, in 2006, rewriting of the Elections Act would bring about significant changes to understanding Manitoba's electoral system.[20] A set election date was established in 2008, with the first election set to take place on 4 October 2011, and subsequent elections to take place on the first Tuesday of October every four years. Also that year, election expense limits and election advertising expense limits for parties and candidates were increased; political parties were made entitled to public funding (called an 'annual allowance'), with a requirement of having to file a statement in order to receive that allowance; the ban on government advertising and publications was extended to 90 days prior to a set-date election; and thresholds were increased for fundraising-event ticket sales and on items sold for fundraising.^[20]

Seats won in past elections

The current Premier of Manitoba is Wab Kinew, who leads the New Democratic Party (NDP) with 34 seats. The Progressive Conservative Party (PC) holds 22 seats, and the Liberal Party with 1 seat; however, the Liberals do not have official party status in the Manitoba Legislature.^[21]

Before World War I

Farmers, Labour, CCF and Duff Roblin (1915–69)

Recent history (1969–present)

Administrative divisions

Below the provincial level of government, Manitoba is divided into

• List of Manitoba general elections
• Monarchy in Manitoba
• List of Manitoba government departments and agencies
• Elections Manitoba
• Politics of Canada
  • Political culture of Canada
  • Council of the Federation

References