WINNIPEG -- A former Manitoba cabinet minister who was kicked out of caucus after criticizing Premier Greg Selinger is set to run for re-election under the NDP banner.
Christine Melnick looks to win the NDP nomination again in her Riel constituency in south Winnipeg on June 10. No other contestants entered the race before the cutoff date earlier this month.
Melnick blamed Selinger's staff for a controversial immigration debate in 2012 and was made to sit as an Independent for most of last year. It was not clear on Friday whether Melnick and the premier had patched up their differences.
"We do agree that we are New Democrats and we think it's very important to come together no matter what has happened in the past," she said.
"I'm not going to get into confidential discussions. I think it's very important to look ahead, to be moving ahead, to be working on the current work of the government."
Selinger was not available for comment Friday. A brief written statement from his spokeswoman, Naline Rampersad, said that Melnick "is a valued member of our caucus, and together we are all focused on session, good governance and the spring of 2016."
Melnick was criticized after leading a debate in the legislature in April 2012 on the federal takeover of some provincial immigration programs. She was the province's immigration minister at the time.
Civil servants in Melnick's department invited about 500 immigrants and provincially funded immigrant support workers to fill the legislature's public gallery for the debate. Many took time off work.
Melnick initially denied asking her civil servants to issue the invitations. But the provincial ombudsman later revealed she did in fact give the order and he suggested the move raised questions about the impartiality of the civil service.
Melnick later apologized for misleading the legislature and said the premier's staff was aware all along that she was using civil servants to build the crowd. Selinger denied the accusation and ousted her from caucus.
She was eventually brought back along with six other New Democrats, who had their caucus privileges partially restricted after questioning Selinger's leadership.
With an election 11 months away, there has been no public resolution to whether the premier or Melnick was telling the truth.
Melnick said Friday she is focusing her energies on her constituents.
"My primary task is working with the people of Riel and just keep moving ahead."
