Former Niverville resident Michelle McHale recently announced her bid for the leadership of the Manitoba NDP. McHale, a staff representative of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, became a member of the provincial NDP in 2016. In the southeast, her name has become synonymous with Steinbach’s first Pride march, as well as her campaign to remove same-sex marriage from the “sensitive issues” curriculum of the Hanover School Division.
The prospect of stepping into the shoes of former NDP leader Greg Selinger holds little concern for McHale. Selinger lost the provincial vote to Progressive Conservative leader Brian Pallister one year ago, and the party has been divided since 2014, when Selinger faced public furor over the provincial sales tax hike and an internal revolt that caused five party members to question his ability to lead. The party has continued to struggle since the election.
“Over the past eight weeks, I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to speak with current and former NDP members about what they need from their next leader,” McHale told supporters at her announcement on March 10 at the Gas Station Theatre in Winnipeg. “So many shared angrily, and with profound sadness, that you can no longer see yourself and your own guiding principles reflected back to you in this party. And almost all of you have shared that the party that you once knew, loved, and believed in is unrecognizable to you now.”
McHale says that she was approached to consider the nomination in December and believes that, as a newcomer to the party, she has what it takes to help restore unity. Being new on the political scene, she says, is a hurdle that she can overcome.
“Maybe I don’t know what I don’t know about what’s in store,” says McHale. “That’s entirely possible. But I have some really great people around me that are educating me as I go.”
While McHale is, as yet, the only declared candidate in the running, eight others are seriously considering making leadership bids. The majority of these candidates have past or present experience as MLAs.
As for internal party support, McHale says she hasn’t been actively seeking it yet.
“I’ve been having conversations with a number of people, including a number of caucus members,” says McHale. “But at this time, I’m not looking for endorsements. I’m just looking to say, ‘Hey, I think that the skillset that you’re looking for, I possess.’”
