Manitoba Opposition New Democrats win byelection, retain stronghold in Thompson

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Opposition New Democrats have retained a northern Manitoba constituency with a decisive byelection victory.

Eric Redhead has won the Thompson seat, defeating the only other candidate -- Charlotte Larocque, a small-business owner who ran for the governing Progressive Conservatives.

Redhead is a former chief of the Shamattawa First Nation.

“I feel humbled…The support we’re getting across the constituency has just been amazing,” Redhead said in an interview on Tuesday.

The Thompson seat has been vacant since the death in December of New Democrat Danielle Adams, who was killed in a highway crash. Redhead noted that Adams left “some very big shoes to fill.”

The constituency has been won by the New Democrats in all but two elections since 1969.

“It’s been a battle for sure, but we’re very grateful for the results,” Redhead said, adding that Larocque ran a “strong” campaign.

With the result, the Tory government still has a solid majority with 36 of the 57 legislature seats, the NDP has 18 and the Liberals have three.

"This campaign was about one thing: the future northern families want," Redhead said late Tuesday in a release.

"I'm honoured that northerners chose me to carry on the legacy of Danielle Adams. Like her, I'm going to fight for the health care you need, the opportunities you deserve and a life you can afford."

NDP Leader Wab Kinew said Redhead is a leader who cares about the community and its future.

"I know he will be an excellent MLA, who focuses on fixing the damage the PCs caused and making life more affordable for northerners," Kinew said in a release.

"His election is one more step towards an NDP government that works for all Manitobans."

Redhead said he intends to bring the skills he gained as chief of Shamattawa First Nation to his new role.

“Fighting for the constituents in Thompson, making sure the north is not forgotten,” he said.

He said his priorities will be dealing with the nursing shortage at Thompson General Hospital, highway safety and access to education.

- With files from CTV’s Renee Rodgers and Kayla Rosen.