Mamadou Ka wins PC nomination in St. Boniface for upcoming byelection

The slate for the upcoming byelection in St. Boniface has been set in terms of the candidates for Manitoba's largest political parties, at least.

MamadouKa, an adjunct professor at theUniversit de Saint-Bonifacewho ran for the Progressive Conservatives in St. Boniface during the 2016 general election, secured the PC nomination by acclamation on Saturday.

In 2016 Kalost to then premier Greg Selinger,who secured 3,624 votes (42 percent ofvotes cast) compared to Ka's2,211(25 per cent of votes), according to Elections Manitoba.

Selinger stepped down in March after several women madeallegations against former NDP cabinet ministerStan Struthers, saying hetouched them inappropriately. Some of the offences Struthers is accused of happenedwhile Selinger was leader of the party.

Wide-open race

The long-time St. Boniface resident said he feels confident in his chances of a victory in the byelectionthis time because "there's no Greg Selinger," saying he came close to the former premier in 2016, and feels he will secure more votes without an incumbent in the race.

Ka also believes the people of St. Boniface would rather have their MLA ingovernment than sitting in Opposition.

"People want a representative of St. B. in the new government. I'm not sure the people are ready to have a backbencher," he said.

When asked what platform he would run on, Ka said he wants "tomake sure that the French language, the French culture ispromoted more and more. To make sure the French language and community survive."

'Humble beginnings'

Ka, who is black, also said he wants to be an "inspiration for all the kids, all the visible minorities, all the Manitoban kids who want to be something."

Premier Brian Pallisterfeels his new candidate is well poised to be that person.

"I think in many ways [Ka]is a role model for people around the province," Pallister said, calling him a "brilliant person who comes from humble beginnings."

Pallister went on to describe Ka as "someone who came here, who immigrated here with hope and helped to build that hope in Manitoba. That's the kind of province we are and that's the kind of person [Ka] is."

4parties have candidates

Ka is the finalcandidate from the province's three largestparties to be chosen for the upcoming byelection.

In April the Liberals nominated party leader and university lecturerDougald Lamont for the seat and the NDP nominated Blandine Tona, who is an educator and activist.

In May, the Greens nominatedFranoise Therrien-Vrignon, an education and artistic consultant who lives in St. Boniface and formerly sat on theUniversitde Saint-Boniface's board of governors.

According to Pallister,the St. Boniface byelectionwill be called in the next three months.