Doer to resign

Province of Manitoba news release

Premier Gary Doer today announced he will resign this fall after a replacement is chosen.  Following 10 years at the helm of the provincial government, Doer said the time is right for renewal.

"I look back with pride at all the hard work this team has done on behalf of all Manitobans, but there is still more work to be done to ensure this province is everything it can be," Doer said.  "As we mark the 10-year anniversary of our government, this is the appropriate time to pass the baton to a new leader who can carry on that important work."

Doer was first elected to the legislative assembly in 1986 on behalf of the people of the constituency of Concordia.  As a member of Howard Pawley's government, he served as minister of urban affairs. 

Doer became leader of the New Democratic Party in the middle of the 1988 provincial election.  Following the 1990 election, he became leader of the official opposition.  In 1999, he led his party to government and became the premier.  In total, he led his party to three consecutive majorities.

"I am grateful to the people of Manitoba for giving me the chance to serve them," Doer said.  "No one should doubt that it is a great honour to sit in the legislature and work on behalf of the citizens of this province."

Doer led a government with a mandate to invest in health care, education, justice and the economy. 

"There are new hospitals, more doctors and nurses, one of the healthiest economies in Canada, a strong justice system and an education system that meets the needs of more students than ever before," said Doer. "These are accomplishments of the entire government, not any one person.  Any government must renew itself to maintain the ability to work on behalf of the people who elected it.  I look forward to working with out team as a new leader is chosen in the coming months."