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CP NewsAlert: Brian Pallister says he will step down as Manitoba premier on Wednesday

Aug 29, 2021 | 2:03 PM

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he will step down on Wednesday.

Pallister had announced earlier this month his plan to retire and not seek re-election.

The Progressive Conservative party scheduled a leadership vote for Oct. 30.

Pallister says he is leaving sooner to avoid any perception that he is influencing the leadership race.

The Tory caucus is to choose an interim leader this week to hold office until the party’s leadership vote.

Pallister plans to stay on as a member of the legislature for a short time.

He has been premier since 2016 and enjoyed strong support in opinion polls until the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manitoba was hit hard by the second and third waves and had to ship dozens of intensive care patients to other provinces.

More coming…

The Canadian Press