Historic Manitoba vote hailed across Canada, BC and in Prince Rupert

Newly elected NDP Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew at 
his victory speech on Tuesday
(from Mr. Kinew's Social Media)

Voters in Manitoba made some history on Tuesday evening, delivering a majority government victory for Wab Kinew, the leader of the Province's New Democratic Party and today the first elected Indigenous Premier of a province.

Not the first Indigenous leader of a government, as the three territories have been ahead of that political curve in Canada for years.  

But it's a key moment of history for the 10 Provinces, and in this instance a pivotal province that often serves at the bridge between east and west for the nation.

Mr. Kinew's victory was a success owing to his platform which focused on the challenges of health care and social issues in the province.  His more positive message seemed to find an audience among Manitobans who had looked at the dark and divisive campaign of Premier Heather Stefanson and chose not to reward her for it.

The Conservatives by listening to the less than better angels for guidance gained the result they deserved for the most part; the negativity and outright dirty at times political theatre something that most Manitobans don't have much political currency  to give towards. 

The vote tallies by popular vote show that the province did split along rural and urban lines, the rural areas remaining strongholds for the Conservative side, but in the cities, Mr, Kinew found voters willing to make a change in direction.

As the first Indigenous Premier, his work will be magnified well beyond the Manitoba border, it offers up hope for all Indigenous residents, but in particular for youth.  A living endorsement that they can be heard and can make a difference.  His work ahead will be to build bridges in his province and by extension the country.

Much more of a to do list than making sure the highways get paved in a timely manner.

No pressure though ...

The historic moment has been received well across Canada,  from Parliament Hill to the BC Legislature, politicians have noted of the significance of the vote and the promise it could bring towards a race of issues and concerns.

From the BC Legislature congratulations came from Premier David Eby

In the Northwest, Stikine MLA and the Minister for Water, Land and Resource Stewardship also saluted the Manitoba vote and change in government to the NDP.

The Stikine MLA also provided a link to the new Premier's victory speech from Tuesday.

In the Prince Rupert area, City Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven paid his own tribute to the historic vote from Tuesday evening.

The impact of the Tuesday vote has been reviewed through the national media for much of the day, you can review some of those observations on the moment later this evening from our political Blog D'Arcy McGee and our Ottawa Observations feature.