Manitoba Politics And Government

Manitoba has always been a province in the middle, geographically, economically, and culturally. Lacking Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness, Ontario’s traditional economic dominance, or Alberta’s combustible mix of prairie populism and oil wealth, Manitoba appears to blend into the background of the Canadian family portrait. But Manitoba has a distinct political culture, one that has been overlooked in contemporary political studies.Manitoba Politics and Government brings together the work of political scientists, historians, sociologists, economists, public servants, and journalists to present a comprehensive analysis of the province’s political life and its careful “mutual fund model” approach to economic and social policy that mirrors the steady and cautious nature of its citizens. Moving beyond the Legislature, the authors address contemporary social issues like poverty, environmental stewardship, gender equality, health care, and the province’s growing Aboriginal population to reveal the evolution of public policy in the province. They also examine the province’s role at the intergovernmental and international level.Manitoba Politics and Government is a rich and fascinating account of a province that strives for the centre, for the delicate middle ground where individualism and collectivism overlap, and where a multitude of different cultures and traditions create a highly balanced society.

Politics in Manitoba is the first comprehensive review of the Manitoba party system that combines history and contemporary public opinion data to reveal the political and voter trends that have shaped the province of Manitoba over the past 130 years. The book details the histories of the Progressive Conservatives, the Liberals, and the New Democratic Party from 1870 to 2007. Adams looks in particular at the enduring influence of political geography and political culture, as well as the impact of leadership, campaign strategies, organizational resources, and the media on voter preferences. Adams also presents here for the first time public opinion data based on more than 25,000 interviews with Manitobans, conducted between 1999 and 2007. He analyzes voter age, gender, income, education, and geographic location to determine how Manitobans vote. In the process Adams dispels some commonly held beliefs about party supporters and identifies recurring themes in voter behaviour.

This contribution to the Canadian Government series continues the study of provincial government made, with varying approaches, by Frank MacKinnon for Prince Edward Island, Murray Beck for Nova Scotia, and Hugh Thorburn for New Brunswick. Professor Donnelly describes the political institutions of Manitoba, viewing them also in historical perspective and singling out the particular forces that have shaped them. He traces the development of the party system in Canada, its decline under the farmer-dominated Progressive governments of the twenties and under the coalitions that followed, and its resurgence under the Conservative government of Premier Roblin. (Canadian Government Series, No. 14)

The 2016 Manitoba election campaign began after more drama than any in the past two decades. Yet, the province basks in prolonged economic growth and Winnipeg continues to experience a public renaissance. So why does political discontent roil through the province? The governing New Democrats have weakened and demoralized themselves. The opposition Progressive Conservatives foresee victory but project little assurance of success. The Liberals ride a wave of popularity in Winnipeg, though appear fragile. What is going on and what will the campaign amount to? A team of two dozen political experts—academics, policy experts, and journalists—is following the campaign and will contribute their findings to Understanding the Manitoba Election 2016: Parties, Leaders, Campaigns, and Issues. Contributions will cover a wide range of themes, including public opinion, media coverage, voter turnout, Indigenous issues, fiscal and social policy, and the relation of Manitoba politics to recent developments across Canada. To be released on May 6, 2016, two weeks after the election, the open-access publication will provide early analysis and insights into the decision that Manitoba voters have made. Published in association with the University of Manitoba’s Duff Roblin Chair in Government.

Politics in Manitoba is the first comprehensive review of the Manitoba party system that combines history and contemporary public opinion data to reveal the trends that have shaped the province of Manitoba. The book details the histories of the Progressive Conservatives, the Liberals, and the New Democratic Party from 1870 to 2007.

To be released on September 26, 2019, two weeks after the election, this open-access publication will provide early analysis and insights into the decision that Manitoba voters have made. Published in association with the University of Manitoba’s Duff Roblin Chair in Government.

A common theme that links the chapters in this document is the centrality of political struggle, and its relationship to the origins, development, and structure of the political economy. Many of the chapters analyze important aspects of the origin and historical development of those struggles. Others focus on more recent developments, particularly the gradual transformation of the social and economic structure of the province, within which a wider variety of struggles has emerged, including those relating to the restructuring of the family, the redefinition of the role of women, the recomposition of the working class, and the renewed vitality of the struggles of Natives.