Few tears are being shed over the pending departure of Brian Pallister..The Manitoba premier announced Tuesday he won’t be seeking re-election and likely won’t see his term through to the October 2023 provincial election..“I believe now is the time for a new leader and a premier to take our province forward. Accordingly, a new leader of the Progressive Conservative Party (PCP) of Manitoba will lead our party into the next election,” Pallister, 67, told a press conference..The PCP quickly made it clear it will waste no time finding a new leader..Pallister expressed his love for Canada and Manitoba, but according to social media—which can be bluntly cruel—the feeling is hardly mutual..Swift reaction to the news was saturated with rabid comments about Pallister, a.k.a COVID dictator, Trudeau Liberal puppet, tyrant, commie, globalist..Throughout his tenure, Pallister has said many unpopular things..Getting caught last May using potty mouth on an open microphone is not necessarily one of them..During a legislative committee meeting, a frustrated Pallister in defense of health officials called the abrasive NDP Leader Wab Kinew an “ass—-” after being repeatedly accused of not preparing Manitoba for a third COVID-19 wave..Pallister unquestionably manifested into a COVID tyrant..His recent so-called relaxation of ultra-strict regulations was a sneaky effort to pit the vaccinated against the non-vaccinated with no respect for personal choice. Rules requiring vaccination cards to be presented for entrance into a multitude of places and events created two levels of citizens. .He was accused of both ruling with a tight fist to keep MLAs in line and being vindictive..Evidence of Pallister’s pettiness against political foes was most evident when People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier was handcuffed, arrested and jailed in June after he attended a small rally protesting COVID-19 restrictions. That’s still before the courts..The list of Pallister’s policies and changes, to trim the $846 million deficit left by the NDP—huge for a small province—is extensive and often not at all popular..Millions of dollars in cuts to the healthcare system, slashed education budgets, union-busting, civil service layoffs, and a revamping of Manitoba Hydro were among many controversial – and rapid – changes implemented since first elected premier in 2016, then again in 2019..Pallister implemented wage freezes when he took on public-sector unions and enraged the Manitoba Metis Federation by cancelling a $67.5 million payment agreement to secure the federations’ support of hydroelectric projects..His tough marijuana legislation has been broadly criticized as ignorant..Pallister emerged from both provincial elections with majorities..But his popularity has been steadily waning largely due to his abrasive, controversial approach..He seemed detached from the common man..Pallister owns a $2-million, 9,000-sq.-ft. home in Winnipeg. When he wasn’t roaming about in his big mansion, he was jaunting off to his vacation home in Costa Rica, spending excessive time there – 128 days during his first term as premier..Ironically, Pallister’s comments on the heels of blatant vandalism – when statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 11 were toppled in Winnipeg on Canada Day – just might be what did him in..“We need to respect our heritage just as we need to respect one another…not to find fault. Not to tear down, not to highlight every failure…,” said Pallister, pledging to restore the statues..“The people who came here to this country, before it was a country and since, didn’t come here to destroy anything, they came here to build, they came to build better.”.Nothing racist there. But the fallout was swift and relentless..His words were described as “unconscionable and a desecration to the graves” of indigenous people..Shockingly, Pallister apologized, likely pressured by fellow party members who don’t have the integrity or desire to back him on a comment that defended part of Canadian heritage. .There were resignations. Cowardly MLAs buckled to pressure on the pretense they too were irreparably, grievously incensed and treated him like a leper..The embattled premier never recovered..And so, following a PCP caucus retreat Tuesday, Pallister announced he will be leaving politics by choice..He was no doubt pressured to go. Likely by party members who may have been looking for the right excuse to get rid of their tyrannical leader and bring in someone less abrasive to try to win back lost support..Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standard.lslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
