Lise Pinkos nominated as New Democratic Party candidate in Seine River
Lise Pinkos has been nominated as the New Democratic Party candidate in Seine River for the 2016 provincial election.
Pinkos — an assistant manager of learning for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights — said family is at the foundation of her decision to run in Manitoba's 41st provincial election, scheduled for April 19.
"I am running for my daughter," she said.
"Because when I think of the Manitoba I want to leave her when she has a family herself, it's the Manitoba that the NDP has helped build."
She was nominated at the NDP candidate for Seine River before a crowd at the Jonathan Toews Community Centre in Winnipeg on Sunday. There, premier Greg Selinger described Pinkos as an impressive candidate; one with deep community roots who knows how to fight on behalf of working families in the province.
"We are proud that Lise will be carrying the NDP banner here in Seine River," he said.
Pinkos in, Oswald out
Pinkos is replacing Theresa Oswald, who announced in October 2015 she would not be running in the election.
In March 2015, Oswald nearly ousted Selinger at the NDP leadership convention, where she received just 33 votes less than the premier.
Selinger called for a leadership vote in fall 2014 after a caucus revolt saw five cabinet ministers resign. Oswald was among the infamous five rebel ex-ministers who went public with concerns over Selinger's ability to lead the party to victory in the 2016 provincial election.
On Sunday, Pinkos called filling what will soon be Oswald's former role an honour, calling her a "champion for Seine River."
Selinger, too, acknowledged what Oswald has accomplished in Manitoba throughout her political career.
On Sunday, Oswald thanked Seine River residents for giving her an opportunity to serve as their MLA.
"It has been an absolute honour to serve the Seine River community for 13 years, working to bring new health care facilities, more daycare spaces and more opportunities to south Winnipeg," she said.
In the election, Pinkos will run against Progressive Conservative candidate Janice Morley-Lecomte, who works as a counsellor at a women's shelter, and Liberal Peter Chura, a former television news anchor.
