Manitoba general election, 1991 facts for kids

The Manitoba general election of September 21, 1991 was an important event in Manitoba, Canada. People voted to choose who would represent them in the Legislative Assembly. This is like a big meeting place where elected officials make laws for the province.

The New Democratic Party won this election. They got 32 out of 57 available seats. The Progressive Conservative Party won 24 seats, and the Manitoba Liberal Party won one seat.

After the election, the New Democratic Party formed the government. This was the first time they had done so since the 1988 election. Gary Doer became the new Premier, who is the leader of the provincial government.

Other parties also took part in the election. These included the Manitoba Party, the Green Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Communist Party. However, none of these parties won any seats. They each received less than 1% of all the votes.

What is a General Election?

A general election is when people vote to choose their leaders. In Manitoba, voters pick people to represent them in the Legislative Assembly. These elected people are called Members of the Legislative Assembly, or MLAs. Their job is to make decisions and laws for the province.

Why Do We Have Elections?

Elections are a key part of democracy. They allow citizens to have a say in how their government is run. By voting, people choose who they believe will best represent their interests and make good choices for everyone.

Political Parties in Manitoba

In an election, people usually vote for a candidate who belongs to a political party. A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how the government should work.

• The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a major political party in Canada. They often focus on social programs and helping workers.
• The Progressive Conservative Party (PC) is another main party. They often focus on economic growth and lower taxes.
• The Manitoba Liberal Party is also a significant party. They often aim for a balance between social programs and economic policies.

Other Parties That Ran

Several smaller parties also had candidates in the 1991 election. Even if they don't win seats, these parties help to share different ideas and viewpoints. They include:

• The Green Party, which focuses on environmental issues.
• The Libertarian Party, which supports individual freedom and limited government.
• The Communist Party, which has different ideas about how society and the economy should be organized.

Forming the Government

The party that wins the most seats in an election usually forms the government. This means they get to lead the province and make new laws.

What is a Premier?

The leader of the winning party becomes the Premier. The Premier is like the chief executive of the province. They lead the government and work with other elected officials to manage the province's affairs. In 1991, Gary Doer became the Premier of Manitoba.