For the first time in 17 years, northern Manitoba is not represented at the provincial cabinet table.
The new Progressive Conservative government did not include its lone northern MLA, Kelly Bindle of Thompson, in its newly unveiled cabinet.
That disappointed Liberal leader Rana Bokhari.
“This is one of the first times that [the PCs] have had a northern MLA, so that would have been nice to show their support and partnership with our indigenous Manitobans,” Bokhari told reporters in Winnipeg.
Premier Brian Pallister opted for a 13-member cabinet that includes six MLAs from the province’s southeast, five from Winnipeg and two from the southwest.
Pallister did not name conservation minister, a move that drew the ire of the Wilderness Committee, a Winnipeg-based environmental group.
“How does a government axe the conservation minister when scientists are constantly telling us our inaction on conservation is leading to a damaged environment and a compromised life for us?” said Eric Reder, Manitoba campaign director for the Wilderness Committee.
As promised during his campaign, Pallister’s cabinet is only two-thirds the size of the former NDP government’s last cabinet.
“I am humbled and honoured by the opportunity to serve Manitoba,” Pallister said. “Our team’s plan for a better Manitoba with lower taxes, better services and a stronger economy was overwhelmingly endorsed by Manitobans. We look forward to the opportunity to turn those commitments into reality. We know the job ahead of us will not be easy, but this is the right team to get Manitoba back on track.”
Officials swore in the new cabinet, Premier Brian Pallister and all other MLAs on Tuesday.
The previous NDP government included two northern MLAs, Steve Ashton of Thompson and Eric Robinson of Keewatinook, in cabinet. Both men were defeated April 19 when the PCs won a 40-seat government – the largest Manitoba majority government in a century.
– With files from Jonathon Naylor
