Former Manitoba cabinet minister ousted from caucus over comments about premier
WINNIPEG – A former Manitoba cabinet minister who says she is the scapegoat in a controversial immigration debate has been ousted from the NDP caucus.
Premier Greg Selinger says he has lost confidence in Christine Melnick.
Melnick said Monday she was told last fall that she would have to protect Selinger by taking the blame for email invitations to the debate in April 2012.
The invites were sent to immigrant support agencies and were seen by critics to politicize the civil service and orchestrate a show of support for the government.
Selinger recently said his former immigration minister acted alone and without his staff’s knowledge in sending out the emails.
But Melnick said Monday she was acting on orders from the premier’s advisers.
Melnick had already been relegated to the backbenches in a cabinet shuffle last fall.
News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
