Manitoba general election, 2011 facts for kids
An election is a time when people vote for leaders. The 40th general election of Manitoba happened on October 4, 2011. During this election, people in Manitoba voted for new members. These members would then join the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. The Legislative Assembly is where laws are made for the province.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) won the most seats. They won 36 out of 57 available seats. The Progressive Conservative Party (PCP) won 19 seats. The Liberal Party won one seat. Other parties, like the Green Party and the Communist Party, also had candidates. However, none of their candidates won a seat in this election.
Because the NDP won more than half of the seats, they were able to form the government. Their leader, Greg Selinger, became the Premier. The Premier is the head of the provincial government. The Progressive Conservative Party, with the second-highest number of seats, became the official opposition. They play an important role by questioning the government and suggesting different ideas.
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What is a General Election?
A general election is a big event. It happens when people get to choose their representatives. These representatives will then work in the government. In Manitoba, they work in the Legislative Assembly. They make decisions about things like schools, roads, and healthcare. Voting is how citizens have a say in who makes these important choices.
Who Ran in the Election?
Several political parties took part in the 2011 Manitoba election. Each party has different ideas about how to run the province.
- The New Democratic Party (NDP) was led by Greg Selinger.
- The Progressive Conservative Party (PCP) was led by Hugh McFadyen.
- The Liberal Party was led by Jon Gerrard.
- The Green Party and the Communist Party also had candidates.
Each party tried to convince voters that their ideas were the best. They held rallies and put up signs. They also talked about their plans for Manitoba's future.
What Were the Results?
After all the votes were counted, the results were clear.
- The New Democratic Party won 36 seats. This was more than half of the 57 seats.
- The Progressive Conservative Party won 19 seats.
- The Liberal Party won 1 seat.
- No candidates from the Green Party or Communist Party won seats.
Winning a majority of seats means a party has strong support. It also means they can usually pass laws more easily.
Forming the Government
When a party wins a majority of seats, they get to form the government. This means their leader becomes the Premier. In 2011, the NDP won the majority. So, Greg Selinger, the leader of the NDP, became the Premier of Manitoba. The Premier leads the province. They work with a team of ministers. These ministers are in charge of different areas, like education or health.
The Official Opposition
The party that wins the second-highest number of seats becomes the official opposition. In 2011, this was the Progressive Conservative Party. The opposition has a very important job. They question the government's decisions. They also suggest different ways to do things. This helps keep the government accountable. It makes sure that all voices are heard in the Legislative Assembly.
